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MERCEDES 

OF 

CASTILE 


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OR 


the Voyage to Cathay 


BY 

J. FENIMORE COOPER 


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PREFACE. 


So much has been written of late years touching the 
discovery of America, that it would not be at all surpris- 
ing should there exist a disposition in a certain class 
of readers to deny the accuracy of all the statements in 
this work. Some may refer to history, with a view to 
prove that there never were such persons as our hero and 
heroine, and fancy that by establishing these facts they 
completely destroy the authenticity of the whole book. In 
answer to this anticipated objection, we will state, that 
after carefully perusing several of the Spanish writers — 
from Cervantes to the translator of the journal of Colum- 
bus, the Alpha and Omega of peninsular literature — and 
after having read both Irving and Prescott from beginning 
to end, we do not find a syllable in either of them that we 
understand to be conclusive evidence, or indeed to be any 
evidence at all, on the portions of our subject that are 
likely to be disputed. Until some solid affirmative proof, 
therefore, can be produced against us, we shall hold our 
case to be made out, and rest our claims to be believed on 
the authority of our own statements. Nor do we think 
there is anything else unreasonable or unusual in this 
course, as perhaps the greater portion of that which is 
daily and hourly offered to the credence of the American 
public rests on the same species of testimony — with the 
trifling difference that we state truths with a profession of 
fiction, while the great moral caterers of the age state fic- 
tion with the profession of truth. If any advantages can 
be fairly obtained over us, in consequence of this trifling 
discrepancy, we must submit. 

There is one point, notwithstanding, concerning which 
it may be well to be frank at once. The narrative of the 
“Voyage to Cathay” has been written with the journal 
of the admiral before us ; or rather with all of that jour- 
nal that has been given to the world through the agency 


4 


PREFACE. 


of a very incompetent and meagre editor. Nothing is 
plainer than the general fact that this person did not al- 
ways understand his author, and in one particular circum- 
stance he has written so obscurely as not a little to em- 
barrass even a novelist, whose functions naturally include 
an entire familiarity with the thoughts, emotions, charac- 
ters, and, occasionally, with the unknown fates of the sub- 
jects of his pen. The nautical day formerly commenced at 
meridian, and with all our native ingenuity and high pro- 
fessional prerogatives, we have not been able to discover 
whether the editor of the journal has adopted that mode 
of counting time, or whether he has condescended to use 
the more vulgar and irrational practice of landsmen. It is 
our opinion, however, that in the spirit of impartiality 
which becomes an historian, he has adopted both. This lit- 
tle peculiarity might possibly embarrass a superficial critic ; 
but accurate critics being so very common, we feel no 
concern on this head, well knowing that they will be 
much more apt to wink at these minor inconsistencies 
than to pass over an error of the press, or a comma with 
a broken tail. As we wish to live on good terms with this 
useful class of our fellow-creatures, we have directed the 
printers to mis-spell some eight or ten words for their 
convenience, and to save them from headaches have hon- 
estly stated this principal difficulty ourselves. 

Should the publicity which is now given to the conse- 
quences of commencing a day in the middle have the effect 
to induce the government to order that it shall, in future, 
with all American seamen, commence at one of its ends, 
something will be gained in the way of simplicity, and the 
writing of novels will, in-so-much, be rendered easier and 
more agreeable. 

As respects the minor characters of this work, very little 
need be said. Every one knows that Columbus had sea- 
men in his vessels, and that he brought some of the na- 
tives of the islands he had discovered back with him to 
Spain. The reader is now made much more intimately 
acquainted with certain of these individuals, we will vent- 
ure to say, than he can be possibly by the perusal of any 
work previously written. As for the subordinate incidents 
connected with the more familiar events of the age, it is 
hoped they will be found so completely to fill up this 
branch of the subject as to render future investigations 
unnecessary. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE 


CHAPTER I. 

“There was knocking that shook the marble floor, 

And a voice at the gate, which said — 

* That the Cid Ruy Diez, the Campeador, 

Was there in his arms array’d.’ ” — Mrs. Hemans. 

Whether we take the pictures of the inimitable Cer- 
vantes, or of that scarcely less meritorious author from 
whom Le Sage has borrowed his immortal tale, for our 
guides ; whether we confide in the graver legends of his- 
tory, or put our trust in the accounts of modern travellers, 
the time has scarcely ever existed when the inns of Spain 
were good, or the roads safe. These are two of the bless- 
ings of civilization which the people of the peninsula 
would really seem destined never to attain ; for, in all ages, 
we hear, or have heard, of wrongs done the traveller equally 
by the robber and the host. If such are the facts to-day, 
such also were the facts in the middle of the fifteenth cen- 
tury, the period to which we desire to carry back the reader 
in imagination. 

At the commencement of the month of October, in the 
year of our Lord 1469, John of Trastamara reigned in 
Aragon, holding his court at a place called Zaragosa, a 
town lying on the Ebro, the name of which is supposed to 
be a corruption of Caesar Augustus, and a city that has 
become celebrated in our own times, under the more an- 
glicized term of Saragossa, for its deeds in arms. John of 
Trastamara, or, as it was more usual to style him, agreea- 
bly to the nomenclature of kings, John II., was one of the 
most sagacious monarchs of his age, but he had become 
impoverished by many conflicts with the turbulent, or, as 
it may be more courtly to say, the liberty-loving Catalo- 
nians; had frequently enough to do to maintain his seaton 
the throne ; possessed a party-colored empire that included 


6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


within its sway, besides his native Aragon, with its depend- 
encies of Valencia and Catalonia, Sicily and the Balearic 
Islands, with some very questionable rights in Navarre. 
By the will of his elder brother and predecessor, the crown 
of Naples had descended to an illegitimate son of the lat- 
ter, else would that kingdom have been added to the list. 
The King of Aragon had seen a long and troubled reign, 
and, at this very moment, his treasury was nearly exhausted 
by his efforts to subdue the truculent Catalans, though 
he was nearer a triumph than he could then foresee, his 
competitor, the Duke of Lorraine, dying suddenly, only 
two short months after the precise period chosen for the 
commencement of our tale. But it is denied to man to 
look into the future, and on the 9th of the month just 
mentioned the ingenuity of the royal treasurer was most 
sorely taxed, there having arisen an unexpected demand 
for a considerable sum of money, at the very moment 
that the army was about to disband itself for the w T ant of 
pay, and the public coffers contained only the very moder- 
ate sum of three hundred Enriques , or Henrys — a gold 
coin named after a previous monarch, and which had a 
value not far from that of the modern ducat, or our own 
quarter eagle. The matter, however, was too pressing to 
be deferred, and even the objects of the war were consid- 
ered as secondary to those connected w T ith this suddenly- 
conceived and more private enterprise. Councils were 
held, money-dealers were cajoled or frightened, and the 
confidants of the court were very manifestly in a state of 
great and earnest excitement. At length the time of prep- 
aration appeared to be passed, and the instant of action 
arrived. Curiosity was relieved, and the citizens of Sara- 
gossa were permitted to know that their sovereign was 
about to send a solemn embassy, on matters of high mo- 
ment, to his neighbor, kinsman, and ally, the monarch of 
Castile. In 1469, Henry, also of Trastamara, sat upon 
the throne of the adjoining kingdom, under the title of 
Henry IV. He was the grandson, in the male line, of the 
brother of John II. ’s father, and consequently a first cousin 
once removed, of the monarch of Aragon. Notwithstand- 
ing this affinity, and the strong family interests that might 
be supposed to unite them, it required many friendly em- 
bassies to preserve the peace between the two monarchs ; 
and the announcement of that which was about to depart 
produced more satisfaction than wonder in the streets of 
the town. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


7 


Henry of Castile, though he reigned over broader and 
richer peninsular territories than his relative of Aragon, 
had his cares and troubles also. He had been twice mar- 
ried, having repudiated his first consort, Blanche of 
Aragon, to wed Joanna of Portugal, a princess of a levity 
of character so marked as not only to bring great scandal 
on the court generally, but to throw so much distrust on 
the birth of her only child, a daughter, as to push discon- 
tent to disaffection, and eventually to deprive the infant 
itself of the rights of royalty. Henry’s father, like him- 
self, had been twice married, and the issue of the second 
union was a son and a daughter, Alfonso and Isabella ; the 
latter becoming subsequently illustrious, under the double 
titles of the Queen of Castile, and of the Catholic. The 
luxurious impotency of Henry, as a monarch, had driven 
a portion of his subjects into open rebellion. Three years 
preceding that selected for our opening, his brother Al- 
fonso had been proclaimed king in his stead, and a civil 
war had raged throughout his provinces. This war had 
been recently terminated by the death of Alfonso, when 
the peace of the kingdom was temporarily restored by a 
treaty, in which Henry consented to the setting aside of 
his own daughter — or rather of the daughter of Joanna of 
Portugal — and to the recognition of his half-sister Isabella, 
as the rightful heiress of the throne. The last concession 
was the result of dire necessity, and, as might have been 
expected, it led to many secret and violent measures, with 
a view to defeat its objects. Among the other expedients 
adopted by the king — or, it might be better to say, by his 
favorites, the inaction and indolence of the self-indulgent 
but kind-hearted prince being proverbial — with a view to 
counteract the probable consequences of the expected ac- 
cession of Isabella, were various schemes to control her 
will, and guide her policy, by giving her hand, first to a 
subject, with a view to reduce her power, and subsequently 
to various foreign princes, who were thought to be more or 
less suited to the furtherance of such schemes. Just at 
this moment, indeed, the marriage of the princess was one 
of the greatest objects of Spanish prudence. The son of 
the King of Aragon was one of the suitors for the hand 
of Isabella, and most of those who heard of the intended 
departure of the embassy naturally enough believed that 
the mission had some connection with that great stroke of 
Aragonese policy. 

Isabella had the reputation of learning, modesty, dis- 


8 


MERCEDES OF CAS7YLE. 


cretion, piety, and beauty, besides being the acknowledged 
heiress of so enviable a crown ; and there were many com- 
petitors for her hand. Among them were to be ranked 
French, English, and Portuguese princes, besides him of 
Aragon to whom we have already alluded. Different 
favorites supported different pretenders, struggling to 
effect their several purposes by the usual intrigues of 
courtiers and partisans ; while the royal maiden, herself, 
who was the object of so much competition and rivalry, 
observed a discreet and womanly decorum, even while 
firmly bent on indulging her most womanly and dearest 
sentiments. Her brother, the king, was in the south, pur- 
suing his pleasures, and, long accustomed to dwell in com- 
parative solitude, the princess was earnestly occupied in 
arranging her own affairs in a way that she believed would 
most conduce to her own happiness. After several at- 
tempts to entrap her person, from which she had only 
escaped by the prompt succor of the forces of her friends, 
she had taken refuge in Leon, in the capital of which 
province, or kingdom as it was sometimes called, Valla- 
dolid, she temporarily took up her abode. As Henry, 
however, still remained in the vicinity of Granada, it is in 
that direction we must look for the route taken by the 
embassy. 

The cortege left Saragossa by one of the southern 
gates early in the morning of a glorious autumnal day. 
There was the usual escort of lances, for this the troubled 
state of the country demanded bearded nobles well mailed 
— for few, who offered an inducement to the plunderer, vent- 
ured on the highway without this precaution ; a long train 
of sumpter mules, and a host of those who, by their guise, 
were half menials and half soldiers. The gallant display 
drew crowds after the horses’ heels, and, together with 
some prayers for success, a vast deal of crude and shallow 
conjecture, as is still the practice with the uninstructed 
and gossiping, was lavished on the probable objects and 
results of the journey. But curiosity has its limits, and 
even the gossip occasionally grows weary ; and by the time 
the sun was setting most of the multitude had already for- 
gotten to think and speak of the parade of the morning. 
As the night drew on, however, the late pageant was still 
the subject of discourse between two soldiers, who be- 
longed to the guard of the western gate, or that which 
opened on the road to the province of Burgos. These 
worthies were loitering away the hours, in the listless man- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


9 


ner common to men on watch, and the spirit of discussion 
and of critical censure had survived the thoughts and bus- 
tle of the day. 

“ If Don Alonso de Carbajal thinketh to ride far in that 
guise,” observed the elder of the two idlers, “he would 
do well to look sharp to his followers, for the army of 
Aragon never sent forth a more scurvily-appointed guard 
than he hath this day led through the southern gate, not- 
withstanding the glitter of housings and the clangor 
of trumpets. We could have furnished lances from Valen-« 
cia more befitting a king’s embassy, I tell thee, Diego ; ay, 
and worthier knights to lead them, than these of Aragon. 
But if the king is content, it ill becomes soldiers, like thee 
and me, to be dissatisfied.” 

“ There are many who think, Roderique, that it had 
been better to spare the money lavished in this courtly let- 
ter-writing, to pay the brave men who so freely shed their 
blood in order to subdue the rebellious Barcelans.” 

“This is always the way, boy, between debtor and cred- 
itor. Don John owes you a few maravedis, and you 
grudge him every enrique he spends on his necessities. 

1 am an older soldier, and have learned the art of paying 
myself, when the treasury is too poor to save me the 
trouble.” 

“ That might do in a foreign war, when one is battling 
against the Moor, for instance ; but, after all, these Cata- 
lans are as good Christians as we are ourselves ; some of 
them are as good subjects ; and it is not as easy to plunder 
a countryman as to plunder an infidel.” 

“ Easier by twentyfold ; for the one expects it, and, like 
all in that unhappy condition, seldom has anything worth 
taking, while the other opens his stores to you as freely 
as he does his heart — but who are these, setting forth on 
the highway, at this late hour ? ” 

“ Fellows that pretend to wealth, by affecting to conceal 
it. I’ll warrant you, now, Roderique, that there is not 
money enough among all those varlets to pay the laquais 
that shall serve them their boiled eggs to-night.” 

“ By St. Iago, my blessed patron ! ” whispered one of 
the leaders of a small cavalcade, who, with a single com- 
panion, rode a little in advance of the others, as if not 
particularly anxious to be too familiar with the rest, and 
laughing lightly as he spoke. “Yonder vagabond is 
nearer the truth than is comfortable ! We may have suffi- 
cient among us all to pay for an olla-podrida and its ser- 


IO 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


vice, but I much doubt whether there will be a dobla left, 
when the journey shall be once ended.” 

A low but grave rebuke checked this inconsiderate 
mirth ; and the party, which consisted of merchants, or 
traders, mounted on mules, as was evident by their appear- 
ance, for in that age the different classes were easily recog- 
nized by their attire, halted at the gate. The permission 
to quit the town was regular, and the drowsy and conse- 
quently surly gate-keeper slowly undid his bars in order 
.that the travellers might pass. 

While these necessary movements were going on, the 
two soldiers stood a little on one side, coolly scanning the 
group, though Spanish gravity prevented them from in- 
dulging openly in an expression of the scorn that they 
actually felt for two or three Jews who were among the 
traders. The merchants, moreover, were of the better 
class, as was evident by a follower or two, who rode in 
their train, in the garbs of menials, and who kept at a re- 
spectful distance while their masters paid the light fee 
that it was customary to give on passing the gates after 
nightfall. One of these menials, capitally mounted on a 
tall, spirited mule, happened to place himself so near 
Diego, during this little ceremony, that the latter, who 
was talkative by nature, could not refrain from having his 
say. 

“Prithee, Pepe,” commenced the soldier, “how many 
hundred doblas a year do they pay in that service of thine, 
and how often do they renew that fine leathern doublet ? ” 

The varlet, or follower of the merchant, who was still a 
youth, though his vigorous frame and embrowned cheek 
denoted equally severe exercise and rude exposure, started 
and reddened at this free inquiry, which was enforced by a 
hand slapped familiarly on his knee, and such a squeeze" of 
the leg as denoted the freedom of the camp. The laugh of 
Diego probably suppressed a sudden outbreak of anger, 
for the soldier was one whose manner indicated too much 
good-humor easily to excite resentment. 

“ Thy gripe is friendly, but somewhat close, comrade,” 
the young domestic mildly observed ; “and, if thou wilt 
take a friend’s counsel, it will be, never to indulge in 
too great familiarity, lest some day it lead to a broken 
pate.” 

“ By holy San Pedr<5 ! T should relish ” 

It was too late, however; for his master having pro- 
ceeded, the youth pushed a powerful rowel into the flank 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


II 


of his mule, and the vigorous animal dashed ahead, nearly 
upsetting Diego, who was pressing hard on the pommel of 
the saddle, by the movement. 

“ There is mettle in that boy,” exclaimed the good- 
natured soldier, as he recovered his feet. “ I thought, for 
one moment, he was about to favor me with a visitation of 
his hand.” 

“ Thou art wrong —and too much accustomed to be 
heedless, Diego,” answered his comrade ; “ and it had 
been no wonder had that youth struck thee to the earth, for 
the indignity thou putt’st upon him.” 

“ Ha ! a hireling follower of some cringing Hebrew ! 
He dare to strike a blow at a soldier of the king ! ” 

“ He may have been a soldier of the king himself, in his 
day. These are times when most of his frame and muscle 
are called on to go in harness. I think I have seen that 
face before ; ay, and that, too, where none of craven hearts 
would be apt to go.” 

“ The fellow is a mere varlet, and a younker that has 
just escaped from the hands of the women.” 

“ I’ll answer for it, that he hath faced both the Catalan 
and the Moor in his time, young as he may seem. Thou 
knowest that the nobles .are wont to carry their sons, as 
children, early into the fight, that they may learn the deeds 
of chivalry betimes.” 

“ The nobles ! ” repeated Diego, laughing. “ In the 
name of all the devils, Roderique, of what art thou think- 
ing, that thou likenest this knave to a young noble ? Dost 
fancy him a Guzman, or a Mendoza, in disguise, that thou 
speakest thus of chivalry?” 

“ True — it doth, indeed, seem silly — ; and yet have I be- 
fore met that frown in battle, and heard that sharp, quick 
voice in a rally. By St. Iago de Compostello ! I have it ! 
Harkee, Diego ! a word in thy ear.” 

The veteran now led his more youthful comrade aside, 
although there was no one near to listen to what he said ; 
and looking carefully round, to make certain that his words 
would not be overheard, he whispered, for a moment, in 
Diego’s ear. 

“ Holy Mother of God ! ” exclaimed the latter, recoiling 
quite three paces, in surprise and awe. “Thou canst not 
be right, Roderique ! ” 

“ I will place my soul’s welfare on it,” returned the other, 
positively. “ Have I not often seen him with his visor upy 
and followed him, time and again, to the charge ?” 


12 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


“ And he setting forth as a trader’s varlet ! Nay, I know 
not, but as the servitor of a Jew ! ” 

“ Our business, Diego, is to strike without looking into 
the quarrel ; to look without seeing, and to listen without 
hearing. Although his coffers are low, Don John is a good 
master, and our anointed king ; and so we will prove our- 
selves discreet soldiers.” 

“ But he will never forgive me that gripe of the knee, 
and my foolish tongue. I shall never dare meet him 
again.” 

“ Humph ! It is not probable thou ever wilt meet him at 
the table of the king, and, as for the field, as lie is wont to 
go first, there will not be much temptation for him to turn 
back in order to look at thee.” 

“ Thou thinkest, then, he will not be apt to know me 
again ? ” 

“ If it should prove so, boy, thou neea’st not take it in 
ill part ; as such as he have more demands on their mem- 
ories than they can always meet.” 

“ The Blessed Maria make thee a true prophet ! else 
would I never dare again to appear in the ranks. Were it 
a favor I conferred, I might hope it would be forgotten ; 
but an indignity sticks long in the memory.” 

Here the two soldiers moved away, continuing the dis- 
course from time to time, although the elder frequently 
admonished his loquacious companion of the virtue of dis- 
cretion. 

In the meantime, the travellers pursued their way, with 
a diligence that denoted great distrust of the roads, and as 
great a desire to get on. They journeyed throughout the 
night, nor did there occur any relaxation in their speed, 
until the return of the sun exposed them again to the ob- 
servations of the curious, among whom were thought to be 
many emissaries of Henry of Castile, whose agents were 
known to be particularly on the alert, along all the roads 
that communicated between the capital of Aragon and Val- 
ladolid, the city in which his royal sister had then, quite 
recently, taken refuge. Nothing remarkable occurred, 
however, to distinguish this journey from any other of the 
period. There was nothing about the appearance of the 
travellers — who soon entered the territory of Soria, a prov- 
ince of Old Castile, where armed parties of the monarch 
were active in watching the passes — to attract the attention 
of Henry’s soldiers ; and as for the more vulgar robber, he 
was temporarily driven from the highways by the presence 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


r 3 


of those who acted in the name of the prince. As respects 
the youth who had given rise to the discourse between the 
two soldiers, he rode diligently in the rear of his master, 
so long as it pleased the latter to remain in the saddle ; 
and during the few and brief pauses that occurred in the 
travelling, he busied himself, like the other menials, in the 
duties of his proper vocation. On the evening of the sec- 
ond day, however, about an hour after the party had left 
a hostelry, where it had solaced itself with an olla-podrida 
and some sour wine, the merry young man who has already 
been mentioned, and who still kept his place by the side 
of his graver and more aged companion in the van, sud- 
denly burst into a fit of loud laughter, and, reining in his 
mule, he allowed the whole train to pass him, until he 
found himself by the side of the young menial already so 
particularly named. The latter cast a severe and rebuking 
glance at his reputed master, as he dropped in by his side, 
and said, with a sternness that ill comported with their 
apparent relations to each other : 

“ How now, Master Nunez ! what hath called thee from 
thy position in the van, to this unseemly familiarity with 
the varlets in the rear ? ” 

“ I crave ten thousand pardons, honest Juan,’’ returned 
the master, still laughing, though he evidently struggled 
to repress his mirth, out of respect to the other ; “but here 
is a calamity befallen us, that outdoes those of the fables 
and legends of necromancy and knight-errantry. The 
worthy Master Ferreras, yonder, who is so skilful in hand- 
ling gold, having passed his whole life in buying and sell- 
ing barley and oats, hath actually mislaid the purse, which 
it would seem he hath forgotten at the inn we have quit- 
ted, in payment of some very stale bread and rancid oil. 
I doubt if there are twenty reals left in the whole party ! ” 

“And is it a matter of jest, Master Nunez,” returned 
the servant, though a slight smile struggled about his 
mouth, as if ready to join in his companion’s merriment ; 
“that we are penniless? Thank Heaven! the Burgo of 
Osma cannot be very distant ; and we may have less occa- 
sion for gold. And now, master of mine, let me command 
thee to keep thy proper place in this cavalcade, and not 
to forget thyself by such undue familiarity with thy infe- 
riors. I have no farther need of thee, and therefore hasten 
back to Master Ferreras and acquaint him with my sympa- 
thy and grief.” . 

The young man smiled, though the eye of the pretended 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


M 

servant was averted, as if he cared to respect his own ad- 
monitions ; while the other evidently sought a look of 
recognition and favor. In another minute the usual or- 
der of the journey was resumed. 

As the night advanced, and the hour arrived when man 
and beast usually betray fatigue, these travellers pushed 
their mules the hardest ; and about midnight, by dint of 
hard pricking, they came under the principal gate of a 
small walled town, called Osma, that stood not far from 
the boundary of the province of Burgos, though still in 
that of Soria. No sooner was his mule near enough to 
the gate to allow of the freedom, than the young merchant 
in advance dealt sundry blows on it with his staff, effect- 
ually apprising those within of his presence. It required 
no strong puli of the reins to stop the mules of those be- 
hind ; but the pretended varlet now pushed ahead, and 
was about to assume his place among the principal per- 
sonages near the gate, when a heavy stone, hurled from 
the battlements, passed so close to his-head as vividly to 
remind him how near he might be to making a hasty jour- 
ney to another world. A cry arose in the whole party at 
this narrow escape ; nor were loud imprecations on the 
hand that had cast the missile spared. The youth himself 
seemed the least disturbed of them all ; and though his 
voice was sharp and authoritative, as he raised it in re- 
monstrance, it was neither angry nor alarmed. 

“ How now ! ” he said ; “ is this the way you treat peace- 
ful travellers ; merchants, who come to ask hospitality and 
a night’s repose at your hands ? ” 

“ Merchants and travellers ! ” growled a voice from 
above, “say, rather, spies and agents of King Henry. 
Who are ye ? Speak promptly, or ye may expect some- 
thing sharper than stones at the next visit.” 

“ Tell me,” answered the youth, as if disdaining to be 
questioned himself, “who holds this borough? Is it not 
the noble Count of Trevino ? ” 

“ The very same, senor,” answered he above, with a 
mollified tone; “but what can a set of travelling traders 
know of his excellency? and who art thou, that speakest 
up as sharply and as proudly as if thou wert a grandee ? ” 
“ I am Ferdinand of Trastamara — the Prince of Aragon 
— the King of Sicily. Go ! bid thy master hasten to the 
gate.” 

This sudden announcement, which was made in the 
lofty manner of one accustomed to implicit obedience, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


*5 


produced a marked change in the state of affairs. The 
party at the gate so far altered their several positions, that 
the two superior nobles who had ridden in front, gave 
place to the youthful king, while the group of knights 
made such arrangements as showed that disguise was 
dropped, and each man was now expected to appear in 
his proper character. It might have amused a close and 
philosophical observer to note the promptitude with which 
the young cavaliers, in particular, rose in their saddles, as 
if casting aside the lounging mien of grovelling traders, 
in order to appear what they really were, men accustomed 
to the tourney and the field. On the ramparts the change 
was equally sudden and great. All appearance of drowsi- 
ness vanished ; the soldiers spoke to each other in sup- 
pressed but hurried voices ; and the distant tramp of feet 
announced that messengers were despatched in various 
directions. Some ten minutes elapsed in this manner, 
during which an inferior officer showed himself on the 
ramparts, and apologized for a delay that arose altogether 
from the force of discipline, and on no account from any 
want of respect. At length a bustle on the wall, with the 
light of many lanterns, betrayed the approach of the gov- 
ernor of the town ; and the impatience of the young men 
below, that had begun to manifest itself in half-uttered 
execrations, was put under a more decent restraint for the 
occasion. 

“ Are the joyful tidings that my people bring me true ? ” 
cried one from the battlements ; while a lantern was lowered 
from the wail, as if to make a closer inspection of the party 
at the gate. “ Am I really so honored, as to receive a sum- 
mons from Don Ferdinand of Aragon, at this unusual 
hour ?” 

“ Cause thy fellow to turn his lantern more closely on 
my countenance*” answered the king, “that thou may’st 
make thvself sure. I will cheerfully overlook the disre- 
spect, Count of Trevino, for the advantage of a more 
speedy admission.” 

“ ’Tis he !” exclaimed the noble. “I know those royal 
features, which bear the lineaments of a long race of kings, 
and that voice have I heard, often, rallying the squadrons 
of Aragon, in their onsets against the Moor. Let the trum- 
pets speak up, and proclaim this happy arrival ; and open 
wide our gates, without delay.” 

This order was promptly obeyed, and the youthful king 
entered Osma, by sound of trumpet, encircled by a strong 


i6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


party of men-at-arms,* and with half of the awakened and 
astonished population at his heels. 

“ It is lucky, my lord king,” said Don Andres de Cab- 
rera, the young noble already mentioned, as he rode famil- 
iarly at the side of Don Ferdinand, “that we have found 
these good lodgings without cost ; it being a melancholy 
truth, that Master Ferreras hath, negligently enough, mis- 
laid the only purse there was among us. In such a strait, 
it would not have been easy to keep up the character of 
thrifty traders much longer ; for, while the knaves higgle 
at the price of everything, they are fond of letting their 
gold be seen.” 

“Now that we are in thine own Castile, Don Andres,” 
returned the king, smiling, “we shall throw ourselves 
gladly on thy hospitality, well knowing that thou hast two 
most beautiful diamonds always at thy command.” 

“ I, sir king ! Your highness is pleased to be merry at 
my expense, although I believe it is, just now, the only 
gratification I can pay for. My attachment for the Prin- 
cess Isabella hath driven me from my lands ; and even the 
humblest cavalier in the Aragonese army is not, just now, 
poorer than I. What diamonds, therefore, can I com- 
mand ? ” 

“ Report speaketh favorably of the two brilliants that are 
set in the face of the Dona Beatriz de Bobadilla ; and I 
hear they are altogether at thy disposal, or as much so as 
a noble maiden’s inclinations can leave them with a loyal ^ 
knight.” 

“Ah! my lord king! if indeed this adventure end as 
happily as it commenceth, I may, indeed, look to your 
royal favor, for some aid in that matter.” 

The king smiled, in his own sedate manner ; but the 
Count de Trevino pressing nearer to his side at that mo- 
ment, the discourse was changed. That night Ferdinand 
of Aragon slept soundly ; but with the dawn, he and his 
followers were again in the saddle. The party quitted 
Osma, however, in a manner very different from that in 
which it had approached its gate. Ferdinand now appeared 
as a knight, mounted on a noble Andalusian charger ; and 
all his followers had still more openly assumed their proper 
characters. A strong body of lancers, led by. the Count of 
Trevino in person, composed the escort ; and on the 9th 
of the month, the whole cavalcade reached Duenas, in 
Leon, a place quite near to Valladolid. The disaffected 
nobles crowded about the prince to pay their court, and he 


MERCEDES OF C A SIDLE. 


17 


was received as became his high rank and still higher des- 
tinies. 

Here the more luxurious Castilians had an opportunity 
of observing the severe personal discipline by which Don 
Ferdinand, at the immature years of eighteen, for he was 
scarcely older, had succeeded in hardening his body and in 
stringing his nerves, so as to be equal to any deeds in arms. 
His delight was found in the rudest military exercises ; and 
no knight of Aragon could better direct his steed in the 
tourney or in the field. Like most of the royal races of 
that period, and indeed of this, in despite of the burning 
sun under which he dwelt, his native complexion was brill- 
iant, though it had already become embrowned by expos- 
ure in the chase, and in the martial occupations of his 
boyhood. Temperate as a Mussulman, his active and well- 
proportioned frame seemed to be early indurating, as if 
Providence held him in reserve for some of its own dis- 
pensations, that called for great bodily vigor as well as for 
deep forethought and a vigilant sagacity. During the four 
or five days that followed, the noble Castilians who listened* 
to his discourse, knew not of which most to approve, his 
fluent eloquence, or a wariness of thought and expression, 
which, while they might have been deemed prematurely 
worldly and cold-blooded, were believed to be particular 
merits in one destined to control the jarring passions, deep 
deceptions, and selfish devices of men. 


CHAPTER II. 

“ Leave to the nightingale her shady wood : 

A privacy of glorious light is thine ; 

Whence thou dost pour upon the world a flood 
Of harmony, with rapture more divine ; 

Type of the wise, who soar, but never roam ; 

True to the kindred points of Heaven and Home. ’’ 

— Wordsworth. 

While John of Aragon had recourse to such means to 
enable his son to escape the vigilant and vindictive emis- 
saries of the King of Castile, there were anxious hearts in 
Valladolid, awaiting the result with the impatience and 
doubt that ever attend the execution of hazardous enter- 
prises. Among others who felt this deep interest in the 
movements of Ferdinand of Aragon and his companions, 
2 




MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


1 8 

were a few whom it has now become necessary to intro- 
duce to the reader. 

Although Valladolid had not then reached the magnifi- 
cence it subsequently acquired as the capital of Charles V., 
it was an ancient, and, for the age, a magnificent and lux- 
urious town, possessing its palaces, as well as its more in- 
ferior abodes. To the principal of the former, the resi- 
dence of John de Vivero — a distinguished noble of the 
kingdom — we must repair in imagination; where compan- 
ions more agreeable than those we have just quitted await 
us, and who were then themselves awaiting, with deep 
anxiety, the arrival of a messenger with tidings from 
Duenas. The particular apartment that it will be neces- 
sary to imagine had much of the rude splendor of the 
period, united to that air of comfort and fitness that woman 
seldom fails to impart to the portion of any edifice that 
comes directly under her control. In the year 1469, Spain 
was fast approaching the termination of that great strug- 
gle which had already endured seven centuries, and in 
which the Christian and the Mussulman contended for the 
mastery of the peninsula. The latter bad long held sway 
in the southern parts of Leon, and had left behind him, in 
the palaces of this town, some of the traces of his barbaric 
magnificence. The lofty and fretted ceilings were not as 
glorious as those to be found further south, it is true ; 
still, the Moor had been there, and the name of Veled Vlid — 
since changed to Valladolid — denotes its Arabic connection. 
In the room just mentioned, and in the principal palace of 
this ancient town — that of John de Vivero — were two 
females, in earnest and engrossing discourse. Both were 
young, and, though in very different styles, both would 
have been deemed beautiful in any age or region of the 
earth. One, indeed, was surpassingly lovely. She had 
just reached her nineteenth year — an age when the female 
form has received its full development in that generous 
climate ; and the most imaginative poet of Spain — a coun- 
try so renowned for beauty of form in the sex — could not 
have conceived of a person more symmetrical. The hands, 
feet, bust, and all the outlines, were those of feminine love- 
liness, while the stature, without rising to a height to sug- 
gest the idea of anything masculine, was sufficient to 
ennoble an air of quiet dignity. The beholder, at first, was 
a little at a loss to know whether the influence to which he 
submitted proceeded most from the perfection of the body 
itself, or from the expression that the soul within imparted 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


J 9 


to the almost faultless exterior. The face was, in all re- 
spects, worthy of the form. Although born beneath the 
sun of Spain, her lineage carried her back, through a long 
line of kings, to the Gothic sovereigns ; and its frequent 
intermarriages with foreign princesses had produced in her 
countenance that intermixture of the brilliancy of the north 
with the witchery of the south that probably is nearest to 
the perfection of feminine loveliness. 

Her complexion was fair, and her rich locks had that 
tint of the auburn which approaches as near as possible to 
the more marked color that gives it warmth, without at- 
taining any of the latter’s distinctive hue. “ Her mild blue 
eyes,” says an eminent historian, “beamed with intelligence 
and sensibility.” In these indexes to the soul, indeed, were 
to be found her highest claims to loveliness, for they be- 
spoke no less the beauty within than the beauty without ; 
imparting to features of exquisite delicacy and symmetry 
a serene expression of dignity and moral excellence, that 
was remarkably softened by a modesty that seemed as 
much allied to the sensibilities of a woman as to the purity 
of an angel. To add to all these charms, though of royal 
blood, and educated in a court, an earnest, but meek sin- 
cerity presided over every look and thought— as thought 
was betrayed in the countenance — adding the illumination 
of truth to the lustre of youth and beauty. 

The attire of this princess was simple, for, happily, the 
taste of the age enabled those who worked for the toilet to 
consult the proportions of nature ; though the materials 
were rich, and such as became her high rank. A single 
cross of diamonds sparkled on a neck of snow, to which it 
was attached by a short string of pearls ; and a few rings, 
decked with stones of price, rather cumbered than adorned 
hands that needed no ornaments to rivet the gaze. Such 
was Isabella of Castile, in her days of maiden retirement 
and maiden pride — while waiting the issues of those changes 
that were about to put their seal on her own future fort- 
unes, as well as on those of posterity even to our own 
times. 

Her companion was Beatriz de Bobadilla, the friend of 
her childhood and infancy, and who continued, to the last, 
the friend of her prime, and of her death-bed. This lady, 
a little older than the princess, was of more decided Span- 
ish mien, for, though of an ancient and illustrious house, 
policy and necessity had not caused so many foreign inter- 
marriages in her race, as had been required in that of her 


20 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


royal mistress. Her eyes were black and sparkling, be- 
speaking a generous soul, and a resolution so high that 
some commentators have termed it valor ; while her hair 
was dark as the raven’s wing. Like that of her royal mis- 
tress, her form exhibited the grace and loveliness of young 
womanhood, developed by the generous warmth of Spain ; 
though her stature was, in a slight degree, less noble, and 
the outlines of her figure, in about an equal proportion, 
less perfect. In short, nature had drawn some such dis- 
tinction between the exceeding grace and high moral 
charms that encircled the beauty of the princess, and those 
which belonged to her noble friend, as the notions of men 
had established between their respective conditions ; though, 
considered singly, as women, either would have been 
deemed pre-eminently winning and attractive. 

At the moment we have selected for the opening of the 
scene that is to follow, Isabella, fresh from the morning 
toilet, was seated in a chair, leaning lightly on one of its 
arms, in an attitude that interest in the subject she was 
discussing, and confidence in her companion, had naturally 
produced ; while Beatriz de Bobadilla occupied a low 
stool at her feet, bending her body in respectful affection 
so far forward as to allow the fairer hair of the princess 
to mingle with her own dark curls, while the face of the 
latter appeared to repose on the head of her friend. As 
no one else was present, the reader will at once infer, from 
the entire absence of Castilian etiquette and Spanish re- 
serve, that the dialogue they held was strictly confidential, 
and that it was governed more by the feelings of nature 
than by the artificial rules that usually regulate the inter- 
course of courts. 

“ I have prayed, Beatriz, that God would direct my judg- 
ment in this weighty concern,” said the princess, in con- 
tinuation of some previous observation; “and 1 hope I 
have as much kept in view the happiness of my future 
subjects, in the choice I have made, as my own.” 

“None shall presume to question it,” said Beatriz de Bob- 
adilla ; “ for, had it pleased you to wed the Grand Turk, the 
Castilians would not gainsay your wish, such is their love ! ” 

“ Say, rather, such is thy love for me, my good Beatriz, 
that thou fanciest this,” returned Isabella, smiling, and 
raising her face from the other’s head. “ Our Castilians 
might overlook such a sin, but I could not pardon myself 
for forgetting that I am a Christian Beatriz, I have been 
sorely tried in this matter!” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


21 


“ But the hour of trial is nearly passed. Holy Maria ! 
what lightness of reflection, and vanity, and misjudging of 
self, must exist in man, to embolden some who have dared 
to aspire to become your husband ! You were yet a chi^d 
when they betrothed you to Don Carlos, a prince old 
enough to be your father ; and then, as if that were not 
sufficient to warm Castilian blood, they chose the King of 
Portugal for you, and he might well have passed for a 
generation still more remote ! Much as I love you, Dona 
Isabella, and my own soul is scarce dearer to me than your 
person and mind, for naught do I respect you more, than 
for the noble and princely resolution, child as you then 
were, with which you denied the king, in his wicked wish 
to make you Queen of Portugal.” 

“ Don Enriquez is my brother, Beatriz ; and thine and 
my royal master.” 

“ Ah ! bravely did you tell them all,” continued Beatriz 
de Bobadilla, with sparkling eyes, and a feeling of exulta- 
tion that caused her to overlook the quiet rebuke of her 
mistress; “ and worthy was it of a princess of the royal 
house of Castile ! ‘ The Infantas of Castile,’ you said, 

‘could not be disposed of, in marriage, without the con- 
sent of the nobles of the realm and with that fit reply 
they were glad to be content.” 

“ And yet, Beatriz, am I about to dispose of an Infanta 
of Castile, without even consulting its nobles.” 

“ Say not that, my excellent mistress. There is not a 
loyal and gallant cavalier between the Pyrenees and the 
sea, who will not, in his heart, approve of your choice. 
The character, and age, and other qualities of the suitor, 
make a sensible difference in these concerns. But unfit 
as Don Alfonso of Portugal was, and is, to be the wedded 
husband of Dona Isabella of Castile, what shall we say to 
the next suitor who appeared as a pretender to your royal 
hand — Don Pedro Giron, the Master of Calatrava ! truly a 
most worthy lord for a maiden of the royal house ! Out 
upon him! A Pachecho might think himself full honor- 
ably mated, could he have found a damsel of Bobadilla to 
elevate his race ! ” 

“ That ill-assorted union was imposed upon my brother 
by unworthy favorites ; and God, in his holy providence, 
saw fit to defeat their wishes, by hurrying their intended 
bridegroom to an unexpected grave ! ” 

“ Ay ! had it not pleased his blessed will so to dispose of 
Don Pedro, other means would not have been wanting ! ” 


22 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ This little hand of thine, Beatriz,” returned the prin- 
cess, gravely, though she smiled affectionately on her 
friend as she took the hand in question, “was not made 
for the deed its owner menaced.” 

“ That which its owner menaced,” replied Beatriz, with 
eyes flashing fire, “ this hand would have executed, before 
Isabella of Castile should be the doomed bride of the Grand 
Master of Calatrava. What ! was the purest, loveliest vir- 
gin of Castile, and she of royal birth — nay, the rightful 
heiress of the crown — to be sacrificed to a lawless libertine, 
because it had pleased Don Henry to forget his station and 
duties, and make a favorite of a craven miscreant ! ” 

“ Thou always forgettest, Beatriz, that Don Enriquez is 
our lord the king, and my royal brother.” 

“ I do not forget, senora, that you are the royal sister of 
our lord the king, and that Pedro de Giron, or Pachecho, 
whichever it might suit the ancient Portuguese page to 
style him, was altogether unworthy to sit in your presence, 
much less to become your wedded husband. Oh ! what 
days of anguish were those, my gracious lady, when your 
knees ached with bending in prayer that this might not 
be ! But God would not permit it — neither would I ! That 
dagger should have pierced his heart before ear of his 
should have heard the vows of Isabella of Castile ! ” 

“ Speak no more of this, good Beatriz, I pray thee,” said 
the princess, shuddering, and crossing herself ; “ they were, 
in sooth, days of anguish ; but what were they in compari- 
son with the passion of the Son of God, who gave himself 
a sacrifice for our sins ! Name it not, then ; it was good 
for my soul to be thus tried ; and thou k nowest that the 
evil was turned from me — more, I doubt not, by the effi- 
cacy of our prayers, than by that of thy dagger. If thou 
wilt speak of my suitors, surely there are others better 
worthy of the trouble.” 

A light gleamed about the dark eye of Beatriz, and a 
smile struggled toward her pretty mouth ; for well did she 
understand that the royal, but bashful maiden, would glad- 
ly hear something of him on whom her choice had finally 
fallen. Although ever disposed to do that which was 
grateful to her mistress, with a woman’s coquetry, Beatriz 
determined to approach the more pleasing part of the sub- 
ject coyly, and by a regular gradation of events, in the 
order in which they had actually occurred. 

“Then, there was Monsieur de Guienne, the brother of 
King Louis of France,” she resumed, affecting contempt 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


23 


in her manner; “ he would fain become the husband of 
the future Queen of Castile ! But even our most unwor- 
thy Castilians soon saw the unfitness of that union. Their 
pride was unwilling to run the chance of becoming a fief 
of France.” 

“ That misfortune could never have befallen our beloved 
Castile,” interrupted Isabella with dignity; “had I es- 
poused the King of France himself, he would have learned 
to respect me as the queen proprietor of this ancient 
realm, and not have looked upon me as a subject.” 

“ Then, senora,” continued Beatriz, looking up into Isa- 
bella’s face, and laughing, “was your own royal kinsman, 
Don Ricardo of Gloucester ; he that they say was born 
with teeth, and who carries already a burden so heavy on 
his back, that he may well thank his patron saint that he 
is not also to be loaded with the affairs of Castile.”* 

“Thy tongue runneth riot, Beatriz. They tell me that 
Don Ricardo is a noble and aspiring prince ; that he is, 
one day, likely to wed some princess, whose merit may 
well console him for his failure in Castile. But what more 
hast thou to offer concerning my suitors ? ” 

“ Nay, what more can I say, my beloved mistress ? We 
have now reached Don Fernando, literally the first, as he 
proveth to be the last, and as we know him to be, the best 
of them all.” 

“ I think I have been guided by the motives that become 
my birth and future hopes in choosing Don Ferdinand,” 
said Isabella, meekly, though she was uneasy in spite of 
her royal views of matrimony ; “since nothing can so much 
tend to the peace of our dear kingdom, and to the success 
of the great cause of Christianity, as to unite Castile and 
Aragon under one crown.” 

“ By uniting their sovereigns in holy wedlock,” returned 
Beatriz, with respectful gravity, though a smile again 
struggled around her pouting lips. “What if Don Fer- 
nando is the most youthful, the handsomest, the most val- 
iant, and the most agreeable prince in Christendom, it is 
no fault of yours, since you did not make him, but have 
only accepted him for a husband ! ” 

“ Nay, this exceedeth discretion and respect, my good 
Beatriz,” returned Isabella, affecting tc^frown, even while 

* Note. — The authorities differ as to which of the English princes was 
the suitor of Isabella ; Edward IV. himself, Clarence, or Richard. Isabella 
was the granddaughter of Catherine of Lancaster, who was a daughter of 
John of Gaunt. 


24 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


she blushed deeply at her own emotions, and looked grat- 
ified at the praises of her betrothed. “ Thou knowest that 
I have never beheld my cousin, the King of Sicily.” 

“Very true, senora ; but Father Alonso de Coca hath 
— and a surer eye, or truer tongue than his, do not exist 
in Castile.” 

“ Beatriz, I pardon thy license, however unjust and un- 
seemlv, because I know thou lovest me, and lookest rather 
at mine own happiness, than at that of my people,” said 
the princess, the effect of whose gravity now was not 
diminished by any betrayal of natural feminine weakness 
— for she felt slightly offended. “Thou knowest, or 
ought’st to know, that a maiden of royal birth is bound 
principally to consult the interests of the state in bestow- 
ing her hand, and that the idle fancies of village girls have 
little in common with her duties. Nay, what virgin of 
noble extraction, like thyself, even, would dream of aught 
else than of submitting to the counsel of her family in 
taking a husband ? If I have selected Don Fernando of 
Aragon, from among many princes, it is, doubtless, be- 
cause the alliance is more suited to the interests of Castile 
than any other that hath offered. Thou seest, Beatriz, that 
the Castilians and the Aragonese spring from the same 
source, and have the same habits and prejudices. They 
speak the same language ” 

“Nay, dearest lady, do not confound the pure Castilian 
with the dialect of the mountains!” 

“Well, have thy fling, wayward one, if thou wilt ; but 
we can easier teach the nobles of Aragon our purer 
Spanish than we can teach it to the Gaul. Then, Don 
Fernando is of my own race ; the house of Trastamara 
cometh of Castile and her monarchs, and we may at least 
hope that the King of Sicily will be able to make himself 
understood.” 

“ If he could not, he were no true knight ! The man 
whose tongue should fail him, when the stake was a royal 
maiden of a beauty surpassing that of the dawn — of 
an excellence that already touches on heaven — of a 
crown ” 

“ Girl, girl, thy tongue is getting the mastery of thee — 
such discourse ill befitteth thee and me.” 

“ And yet, Dona Ysabel, my tongue is close bound to my 
heart.” 

“ I do believe thee, my good Beatriz ; but we should be- 
think us both of our last shrivings, and of the ghostly 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


2 $ 

counsel that we then received. Such flattering discourse 
seemeth light, when we remember our manifold trans- 
gressions, and our many occasions for forgiveness. As 
for this marriage, 1 would have thee think that it- has been 
contracted on my part, with the considerations and mo- 
tives of a princess, and not through any light indulgence 
of my fancies. Thou knowest that I have never beheld 
Don Fernando, and that he hath never even looked upon 
me.” 

“Assuredly, dearest lady and honored mistress, all this 
I know, and see, and believe ; and I also agree that it were 
unseemly and little befitting her birth, for even a noble 
maiden to contract the all-important obligations of mar- 
riage, with no better motive than the light impulses of a 
country wench. Nothing is more just than that we are 
alike bound to consult our own dignity, and the wishes of 
kinsmen and friends ; and that our duty, and the habits of 
piety and submission in which we have been reared, are 
better pledges for our connubial affection than any caprices 
of a girlish imagination. Still, my honored lady, it is 
most fortunate that your high obligations point to one as 
youthful, brave, noble, and chivalrous, as is the King of 
Sicily, as we well know, by Father Alonso’s representa- 
tions, to be the fact ; and that all my friends unite in say- 
ing that Don Andres de Cabrera, madcap and silly as he 
is, will make an exceedingly excellent husband for Beatrix 
de Bobadilla ! ” 

Isabella, habitually dignified and reserved as she was, 
had her confidants and her moments for unbending ; and 
Beatrix was the principal among the former, while the 
present instant was one of the latter. She smiled, there- 
fore, at this sally ; and parting, with her own fair hand, 
the dark locks on the brow of her friend, she regarded her 
much as the mother regards her child, when sudden pas- 
sages of tenderness come over the heart. 

“ If madcap should wed madcap, thy friends, at least, 
have judged rightly,” answered the princess. Then, paus- 
ing an instant, as if in deep thought, she continued in a 
graver manner, though modesty shone in her tell-tale com- 
plexion, and the sensibility that beamed in her eyes be- 
trayed that she now felt more as a woman than as a future 
queen, bent only on the happiness of her people. “As this 
interview draweth near, I suffer an embarrassment I had 
not thought it easy to inflict on an Infanta of Castile. To 
thee, my faithful Beatrix, I will acknowledge, that were 


26 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


the King of Sicily as old as Don Alfonso of Portugal, or 
were he as effeminate and unmanly as Monsieur de Guienne, 
were he, in sooth, less engaging and young, I should feel 
less embarrassment in meeting him than I now experi- 
ence.” 

“This is passing strange, senora! Now, 1 will confess 
that I would not willingly abate in Don Andres one hour 
of his life, which has been sufficiently long as it is ; one 
grace of his person, if indeed the honest cavalier hath any 
to boast of ; or one single perfection of either body or 
mind.” 

“ Thy case is not mine, Beatriz. Thou knowest the 
Marquis of Moya ; hast listened to his discourse, and art 
accustomed to his praises and his admiration.” 

“ Holy St. Iago of Spain ! Do not distrust anything, 
senora, on account of unfamiliarity with such matters — 
for, of all learning, it is easiest to learn to relish praise and 
admiration ! ” 

“True, daughter” (for so Isabella often termed her 
friend, though her junior ; in later life, and after the prin- 
cess had become a queen, this, indeed, was her usual term 
of endearment), “ true, daughter, when praise and admira- 
tion are freely given and fairly merited. But I distrust, 
myself, my claims to be thus viewed, and the feelings with 
which Don Fernando may first behold me. I know — nay, 
I feel him to be graceful, and noble, and valiant, and 
generous, and good ; comely to the eye, and strict of duty 
to our holy religion ; as illustrious in qualities as in birth ; 
and I tremble to think of my own unsuitableness to be his 
bride and queen.” 

“God’s Justice! I should like to meet the impudent 
Aragonese noble that would dare to hint as much as this ! 
If Don Fernando is noble, are you not nobler, senora, as 
coming of the senior branch of file same house ; if he is 
young, are you not equally so ; if he is wise, are you not 
wiser ; if he is comely, are you not more of an angel than 
a woman ; if he is valiant, are you not virtuous ; if he is 
graceful, are you not grace itself ; if he is generous, are 
you not good, and what is more, are you not the very soul 
of generosity ; if he is strict of duty in matters of our holy 
religion, are you not an angel ?” 

“ Good, sooth — good, sooth — Beatriz, thou art a com- 
forter ! I could reprove thee for this idle tongue, but I 
know thee honest.” 

“ This is no more than that deep modesty, honored mis- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


27 


tress, which ever maketh you quicker to see the merits of 
others than to perceive your own. Let Don Fernando 
look to it ! Though he come in all the pomp and glory of 
his many crowns, I warrant you we find him a royal maiden 
in Castile, who shall abash him and rebuke his vanity, 
even while she appears before him m the sweet guise of 
her own meek nature ! ” 

“ I have said naught of Don Fernando’s vanity, Beatriz 
— nor do I esteem him in the least inclined to so weak a 
feeling ; and as for pomp we well know that gold no more 
abounds at Zaragosa than at Valladolid, albeit he hath 
many crowns, in possession, and in reserve. Notwith- 
standing all thy foolish but friendly tongue hath uttered, 
I distrust myself, and not the King of Sicily. Methinks 
I could meet any other prince in Christendom with indif- 
ference — or, at least, as becometh my rank and sex ; but, 
I confess, I tremble at the thought of encountering the eyes 
and opinions of my noble cousin.” 

Beatriz listened with interest ; and when her royal mis- 
tress ceased speaking, she kissed her hand affectionately, 
and then pressed it to her heart. 

“ Let Don Fernando tremble, rather, senora, at encoun- 
tering yours,” she answered. 

“ Nay, Beatriz, we know that he hath nothing to dread, 
for report speaketh but too favorably of him. But, why 
linger here in doubt and apprehension, when the staff on 
which it is my duty to lean, is ready to receive its burden : 
Father Alonso doubtless waiteth for us, and we will now 
join him.” 

The princess and her friend now repaired to the chapel 
of the palace, where her confessor celebrated the daily 
mass. The self-distrust which disturbed the feelings of the 
modest Isabella was appeased by the holy rites, or, rather, 
it took refuge on that rock where she was accustomed to 
place all her troubles, with her sins. As the little assem- 
blage left the chapel, one, hot with haste, arrived with the 
expected, but still doubted tidings, that the King of Sicily 
had reached Duenas in safety, and that, as he was now in 
the very centre of his supporters, there could no longer 
be any reasonable distrust of the speedy celebration of the 
contemplated marriage. 

Isabella was much overcome with this news, and re- 
quired more than usual of the care of Beatriz de Bobadilla, 
to restore her to that sweet serenity of mind and air, 
which ordinarily rendered her presence as attractive as it 


28 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


was commanding. An hour or two spent in meditation 
and prayer, however, finally produced a gentle calm in her 
feelings* and these two friends were again alone, in the 
very apartment where we first introduced them to the 
reader. 

“Hast thou seen Don Andres de Cabrera?” demanded 
the princess, taking a hand from a brow which had been 
often pressed in a sort of bewildered recollection. 

Beatrix de Bobadilla blushed — and then she laughed out- 
right, with a freedom that the long-established affection of 
her mistress did not rebuke. 

“ For a youth of thirty, and a cavalier well hacked in the 
wars of the Moors, Don Andres hath a nimble foot,” she 
answered. “ He brought hither the tidings of the arrival ; 
and with it he brought his own delightful person, to show it 
was no lie. For one so experienced, he hath a strong pro- 
pensity to talk ; and so, in sooth, while you, my honored 
mistress, would be in your closet alone, I could but listen 
to all the marvels of the journey. It §eems, sefiora, that 
they did not reach Duenas any too soon ; for the only 
purse among them was mislaid, or blown away by the wind 
on account of its lightness.” 

“ I trust this accident hath been repaired. Few of the 
house of Trastamara have much gold at this trying mo- 
ment, and yet none are wont to be entirely without it.” 

“Don Andres is neither beggar nor miser. He is now 
in our Castile, where I doubt not he is familiar with 
the Jews and money-lenders ; as these last must know 
the full value of his lands, the King of Sicily will not 
want. I hear, too, that the Count of Trevino hath con- 
ducted nobly with him.” 

“ It shall be well for the Count of Trevino that he hath 
had this liberality. But, Beatrix, bring forth the writing 
materials ; it is meet that I, at once, acquaint Don En- 
riquex with this event, and with my purpose of marriage.” 

“Nay, dearest mistress, this is out of all rule. When a 
maiden, gentle or simple, intendeth marriage against her 
kinsmen’s wishes, it is the way to wed first, and to write 
the letter and ask the blessing when the evil is done.” 

“Go to, light-of-speech ! Thou hast spoken ; now bring 
the pens and paper. The king is not only my lord and 
sovereign, but he is my nearest of kin, and should be my 
father.” 

“And Dona Joanna of Portugal, his royal consort, and 
our illustrious queen, should be your mother ; and a fit- 


r 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 29 

ting guide would she be to any modest virgin ! No — no — 
my beloved mistress ; your royal mother was the Dona 
Isabella of Portugal — and a very different princess was she 
from this, her wanton niece." 

“ Thou givest thyself too much license, Dona Beatriz, 
and forgettest my request. I desire to write to my brother, 
the king." 

It was so seldom that Isabella spoke sternly, that her 
friend started, and the tears rushed to her eyes at this re- 
buke ; but she procured the writing materials, before she 
presumed to look into Isabella’s face, in order to ascertain 
if she were really angered. There all was beautiful seren- 
ity again ; and the Lady of Bobadilla, perceiving that her 
mistress’ mind was altogether occupied with the matter 
before her, and that she had already forgotten her dis- 
pleasure, chose to make no furtherallusion to the subject. 

Isabella now wrote her celebrated letter, in which she 
appeared to forget all her natural timidity, and to speak 
solely as a princess. By the treaty of Toros de Guisando, 
in which, setting aside the claims of Joanna of Portugal’s 
daughter, she had been recognized as the heiress of the 
throne, it had been stipulated that she should not marry 
without the king’s consent ; and she now apologized for 
the step she was about to take, on the substantial plea that 
her enemies had disregarded the solemn compact entered 
into not to urge her into any union that was unsuitable or 
disagreeable to herself. She then alluded to the political 
advantages that would follow the union of the crowns of 
Castile and Aragon, and solicited the king’s approbation 
of the step she was about to take. This letter, after having 
been submitted to John de Vivero, and others of her council, 
was despatched by a special messenger — after which act 
the arrangements necessary as preliminaries to a meeting 
between the betrothed were entered into. Castilian eti- 
quette was proverbial, even in that age ; and the discussion 
led to a proposal that Isabella rejected with her usual 
modesty and discretion. 

“ It seemeth to me," said John de Vivero, “that this alli- 
ance should not take place without some admission, on 
the part of Don Fernando, of the inferiority of Aragon to 
our own Castile. The house of the latter kingdom is but 
a junior branch of the reigning house of Castile, and the 
former territory of old was admitted to have a dependency 
on the latter.” 

This proposition was much applauded, until the beauti- 


30 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ful and natural sentiments of the princess, herself, inter- 
posed to expose its weakness and its deformities. 

“It is doubtless true,” she said, “that Don Juan of 
Aragon is the son of the younger brother of my royal 
grandfather ; but he is none the less a king. Nay, besides 
his crown of Aragon — a country, if thou wilt, which is in- 
ferior to Castile — he hath those of Naples and Sicily ; 
not to speak of Navarre, over which he ruleth, although it 
may not be with too much right. Don Fernando even 
weareth the crown of Sicily, by the renunciation of Don 
Juan ; and shall he, a crowned sovereign, make conces- 
sions to one who is barely a princess, and whom it may 
never please God to conduct to a throne ? Moreover, Don 
John of Vivero, I beseech thee to remember the er- 
rand that bringeth the King of Sicily to Valladolid. Both 
he and” I have two parts to perform, and two characters to 
maintain — those of prince and princess, and those of 
Christians wedded and bound by holy marriage ties. It 
would ill become one that is about to take on herself the 
duties and obligations of a wife, to begin the intercourse 
with exactions that should be humiliating to the pride and 
self-respect of her lord. Aragon may truly be an inferior 
realm to Castile — but Ferdinand of Aragon is even now 
every way the equal of Isabella of Castile ; and when he 
shall receive my vows, and, with them, my duty and my 
affections” — Isabella’s color deepened, and her mild eye 
lighted with a sort of holy enthusiasm — “ as befitteth a 
woman, though an infidel, he would become, in some par- 
ticulars, my superior. Let me, then, hear no more of this; 
for it could not nearly as much pain Don Fernando to 
make the concessions ye require, as it paineth me to hear 
of them.” 


CHAPTER III. 

“ Nice customs curt’sy to great kings. Dear Kate, you and I cannot be 
confined within the weak list of a country's fashion. We are the makers 
of manners ; and the liberty that follows our places, stops the mouths of 
all fault-finders.” — Henry V. 


Notwithstanding her high resolution, habitual firmness, 
and a serenity of mind, that seemed to pervade the moral 
system of Isabella, like a deep, quiet current of enthusi- 
asm, but which it were truer to assign to the high and 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 r 

fixed principles that guided all her actions, her heart beat 
tumultuously, and her native reserve, which almost 
amqunted to shyness, troubled her sorely, as the hour ar- 
rived when she was first to behold the prince she had ac- 
cepted for a husband. Castilian etiquette, no less than 
the magnitude of the political interests involved in the in- 
tended union, had drawn out the preliminary negotiations 
several days ; the bridegroom being left, all that time, to 
curb his impatience to behold the princess as best he 
might. 

On the evening of the 15th of October, 1469, however, 
every obstacle being at length removed, Don Fernando 
threw himself into the saddle, and, accompanied by only 
four attendants, among whom was Andres de Cabrera, he 
quietly took his way, without any of the usual accompani- 
ments of his high rank, toward the palace of John of Viv- 
ero, in the city of Valladolid. The Archbishop of Toledo 
was of the faction of the princess, and this prelate, a war- 
like and active partisan, was in readiness to receive the ac- 
cepted suitor, and to conduct him to the presence of his 
mistress. 

Isabella, attended only by Beatriz de Bobadilla, was in 
waiting for the interview, in the apartment already men- 
tioned ; and by one of those mighty efforts that even 
the most retiring of the sex can make, on great occasions, 
she received her future husband with quite as much of the 
dignity of a princess as of the timidity of a woman. Fer- 
dinand of Aragon had been prepared to meet one of singu- 
lar grace and beauty ; but the mixture of angelic modesty 
with a loveliness that almost surpassed that of her sex, pro- 
duced a picture approaching so much nearer to heav.en 
than to earth, that, though one of circumspect behavior, 
and much accustomed to suppress emotion, he actually 
started, and his feet were momentarily riveted to the floor, 
when the glorious vision first met his eye. Then, recover- 
ing himself, he advanced eagerly, ancl taking the little 
hand which neither met nor repulsed the attempt, he 
pressed it to his lips with a warmth that seldom accompa- 
nies the first interviews of those whose passions are usually 
so factitious. 

“This happy moment hath at length arrived, my illus- 
trious and beautiful cousin ! ” he said, with a truth of feel- 
ing that went directly to the pure and tender heart of 
Isabella ; for no skill in courtly phrases can ever give to 
the accents of deceit the point and emphasis that belong 


3 2 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


to sincerity. “ I have thought it would never arrive ; but 
this blessed moment — thanks to our own St. Iago, whom I 
have not ceased to implore with intercessions — more t^han 
rewards me for all anxieties.” 

“ I thank my lord, the prince, and bid him right wel- 
come,” modestly returned Isabella, “ The difficulties that 
have been overcome, in order to effect this meeting, are 
but types of the difficulties we shall have to conquer as we 
advance through life.” 

Then followed a few courteous expressions concerning 
the hopes of the princess that her cousin had wanted for 
nothing, since his arrival in Castile, with suitable answers ; 
when Don Ferdinand led her to an armed-chair, assuming 
himself the stool on which Beatrix de Bobadilla was wont 
to be seated, in her familiar intercourse with her royal 
mistress. Isabella, however, sensitively alive to the preten- 
sions of the Castilians, who were fond of asserting the 
superiority of their own country over that of Aragon, 
would not quietly submit to this arrangement, but de- 
clined to be seated, unless her suitor would take the chair 
prepared for him also, saying : 

“ It ill befitteth one who hath little more than some roy- 
alty of blood, and her dependence on God, to be thus 
placed, while the King of Sicily is so unworthily bestowed.” 

“Let me entreat that it may be so,” returned the king. 
“ All considerations of earthly rank vanish in this pres- 
ence ; view me as a knight, ready and desirous of proving 
his fealty in any court or field of Christendom, and treat 
me as such.” 

Isabella, who had that high tact which teaches the pre- 
cise point where breeding becomes neuter and airs com- 
mence, blushed and smiled, but no longer declined to be 
seated. It was not so much the mere words of her cousin 
that went to her heart, as the undisguised admiration of 
his looks, the animation of his eye, and the frank sincerity 
of his manner. \Vhth a woman’s instinct she perceived 
that the impression she had made was favorable, and, with 
a woman’s sensibility, her heart was ready, under the cir- 
cumstances, to dissolve in tenderness at the discovery. 
This mutual satisfaction soon opened the way to a freer 
conversation ; and, ere half an hour was passed, the arch- 
bishop — who, though officially ignorant of the language and 
wishes of lovers, was practically sufficiently familiar with 
both — contrived to draw the two or three courtiers who 
were present into an adjoining room, where, though the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


33 


door continued open, he placed them with so much discre- 
tion that neither eye nor ear could be any restraint on 
what was passing. As for Beatriz de Bobadilla, whom fe- 
male etiquette required should remain in the same room 
^with her royal mistress, she was so much engaged with An- 
dres de Cabrera, that half a dozen thrones might have been 
disposed of between the royal pair, and she none the wiser. 

Although Isabella did not lose that mild reserve and 
feminine modesty that threw so winning a grace around 
her person, even to the day of her death, she gradually 
grew more calm as the discourse proceeded ; and, falling 
back on her self-respect, womanly dignity, and, not a little, 
on those stores of knowledge that she had been diligently 
collecting, while others similarly situated had wasted their 
time in the vanities of courts, she was quickly at her ease, 
if not wholly in that tranquil state of mind to which she 
had been accustomed. 

“ I trust there can now be no longer any delay to the 
celebration of our union by holy church,” observed the 
king, in continuation of the subject. “ All that can be 
required of us both, as those entrusted with the cares and 
interests of realms, hath been observed, and I may have a 
claim to look to my own happiness. We are not strangers 
to each other, Doha Isabella ; for our grandfathers were 
brothers, and from infancy up have I been taught to 
reverence thy virtues, and to strive to emulate thy holy 
duty to God.” 

“ I have not betrothed myself lightly, Don Fernando,” 
returned the princess, blushing, even while she assumed 
the majesty of a queen; “ and with the subject so fully 
discussed, the wisdom of the union so fully established, 
and the necessity of promptness so apparent, no idle delays 
shall proceed from me. I had thought that the ceremony 
might be had on the fourth day from this, which will give 
us both time to prepare for an occasion so solemn, by 
suitable attention to the offices of the church.” 

“It must be as thou wiliest,” said the king, respectfully 
bowing; “and now there remaineth but a few prepara- 
tions, and we shall have no reproaches- of forgetfulness. 
Thou k no west, Dona Isabella, how sorely my father is 
beset by his enemies, and I need scarce tell thee that his 
coffers are empty. In good sooth, my fair cousin, noth- 
ing but my earnest desire to possess myself, at as early a 
day as possible, of the precious boon that Providence and 
thy goodness 


34 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Mingle not, Don Fernando, any of the acts of God and 
his providence, with the wisdom and petty expedients of 
his creatures,” said Isabella, earnestly. 

“ To seize upon the precious boon, then, that Provi- 
dence appeared willing to bestow,” rejoined the king, 
crossing himself, while he bowed his head, as much, per- 
haps, in deference to the pious feelings of his affianced 
wife, as in deference to a higher Power, “would not admit 
of delay, and we quitted Zaragosa better provided with 
hearts loyal toward the treasures w*e were to find in Val- 
ladolid than with gold. Even that we had, by a mischance, 
hath gone to enrich some lucky varlet in an inn.” 

“ Dona Beatriz Bobadilla hath acquainted me with the 
mishap,” said Isabella, smiling ; “and truly we shall com- 
mence our married lives with but few of the goods of the 
world in present possession. I have little more to offer 
thee, Fernando, than a true heart, and a spirit that I think 
may be trusted for its fidelity.” 

“ In obtaining thee, my excellent cousin, I obtain suffi- 
cient to satisfy the desires of any reasonable man. Still, 
something is due to our rank and future prospects, and it 
shall not be said that thy nuptials passed like those of a 
common subject.” 

“ Under ordinary circumstances it might not appear 
seemly for one of my sex to furnish the means for her own 
bridal,” answered the princess, the blood stealing to her 
face until it crimsoned even her brow and temples ; main- 
taining, otherwise, that beautiful tranquillity of mien which 
marked her ordinary manner, “ but the well-being of two 
states depending on our union, vain emotions must be 
suppressed. I am not without jewels, and Valladolid hath 
many Hebrews ; thou wilt permit me to part with the 
bawbles for such an object.” 

“ So that thou preservest for me the jewel in which that 
pure mind is encased,” said the King of Sicily, gallantly, 
“ I care not if I never see another. But there will not be 
this need ; for our friends, who have more generous souls 
than well-filled coffers too, can give such warranty to the 
lenders as will procure the means. I charge myself with 
this duty, for henceforth, my cousin — may I not say my 
betrothed ? ” 

“ The term is even dearer than any that belongeth to 
blood, Fernando,” answered the princess, with a simple 
sincerity of manner that set at naught the ordinary affec- 
tations and artificial feelings of her sex, while it left the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


35 


deepest reverence for her modesty — “ and we might be ex- 
cused for using it. I trust God will bless our union, not 
only to our own happiness, but to that of our people.” 

“Then, my betrothed, henceforth we have but a common 
fortune, and thou wilt trust in me for the provision for thy 
wants.” 

“Nay, Fernando,” answered Isabella, smiling, “imagine 
what we will, we cannot imagine ourselves the children of 
two hidalgos about to set forth in the world with humble 
dowries. Thou art a king, even now; and by the treaty of 
Toros de Guisando, I am solemnly recognized as the heir- 
ess of Castile. We must, therefore, have our separate 
means, as well as our separate duties, though I trust hardly 
our separate interests.” 

“ Thou wilt never find me failing in that respect which 
is due to thy rank, or in that duty which it befitteth me to 
render thee, as thp head of our ancient house, next to thy 
royal brother, the king.” 

“Thou hast well considered, Don Fernando, the treaty 
of marriage, and accepted cheerfully, I trust, all of its 
several conditions ? ” 

“ As becometh the importance of the measures, and the 
magnitude of the benefit I was to receive.” 

“ I would have them acceptable to thee, as well as ex- 
pedient ; for, though so soon to become thy wife, I can 
never cease to remember that I shall be queen of this 
country.” 

“Thou mayest be assured, my beautiful betrothed, that 
Ferdinand of Aragon will be the last to deem thee aught 
else.” 

“ I look on my duties as coming from God, and on my- 
s -If as one rigidly accountable to him for their faithful dis- 
charge. Sceptres may not be treated as toys, Fernando, to 
be trifled with ; for man beareth no heavier burden than 
when he beareth a crown.” 

“ The maxims of our house have not been forgotten in 
Aragon, my betrothed — and I rejoice to find that they are 
the same in both kingdoms.” 

“ We are not to think principally of ourselves in entering 
upon this engagement,” continued Isabella, earnestly, “for 
that would be supplanting the duties of princes by the feel- 
ings of the lover. Thou hast frequently perused, and suf- 
ficiently conned the marriage articles, I trust?” 

“ There hath been sufficient leisure for that, my cousin, as 
they have now been signed these nine months.” 


36 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ If I may have seemed to thee exacting in some par- 
ticulars,” continued Isabella, with the same earnest and 
beautiful simplicity as usually marked her deportment in 
all the relations of life, “ it is because the duties of a sover- 
eign may not be overlooked. Thou knowest, moreover, 
Fernando, the influence that the husband is wont to ac- 
quire over the wife, and wilt feel the necessity of my pro- 
tecting my Castilians, in the fullest manner, against my own 
weaknesses.” 

“ If thy Castilians do not suffer until they suffer from 
that cause, Dona Isabella, their lot will indeed be blessed.” 

“ These are words of gallantry, and I must reprove their 
use on an occasion so serious, Fernando. I am a few 
months thy senior, and shall assume an elder sister’s rights, 
until they are lost in the obligations of a wife. Thou hast 
seen in those articles how anxiously I would protect my 
Castilians against any supremacy of the stranger. Thou 
knowest that many of the greatest of this realm are op- 
posed to our union, through apprehension of Aragonese 
sway, and wilt observe how studiously we have striven to 
appease their jealousies.” 

“ Thy motives, Dona Isabella, have been understood, 
and thy wishes in this and all other particulars shall be 
respected.” 

“ I would be thy faithful and submissive wife,” returned 
the princess, with an earnest but gentle look at her be- 
trothed ; “ but I would also that Castile should preserve 
her rights and her independence. What will be thy in- 
fluence, the maiden that freely bestowed her hand, need 
hardly say ; but we must preserve the appearance of sepa- 
rate states.” 

“ Confide in me, my cousin. They who live fifty years 
hence will say that Don Fernando knew how to respect his 
obligations and to discharge his duty.” 

“There is the stipulation, too, to war upon the Moor. I 
shall never feel that the Christians of Spain have been true 
to the faith, while the followers of the arch-imposter of 
Mecca remaineth in the peninsula.” 

“ Thou and thy archbishop could not have imposed a 
more agreeable duty, than to place my lance in rest against 
the infidels. My spurs have been gained in those wars, al- 
ready ; and no sooner shall we be crowned, than thou wilt 
see my perfect willingness to aid in driving back the mis- 
creants to their original sands.” 

“ There remaineth but one thing more upon my mind, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


37 


gentle cousin. Thou knowest the evil influence that be- 
sets my brother, and that it hath disaffected a large portion 
of his nobles as well as of his cities. We shall both be 
sorely tempted to wage war upon him, and to assume the 
sceptre before it pleaseth God to accord it to us, in the 
course of nature. I would have thee respect Don Enriquez, 
not only as the head of our royal house, but as my brother 
and anointed master. Should evil counsellors press him to 
attempt aught against our persons or rights, it will be law- 
ful to resist ; but I pray thee, Fernando, on no excuse seek 
to raise thy hand in rebellion against my rightful sover- 
eign.” 

“ Let Don Enriquez, then, be chary of his Beltraneja ! ” 
answered the prince with warmth. “ By St. Peter ! I have 
rights of mine own that come before those of that ill-got- 
ten mongrel ! The whole house of Trastamara hath an in- 
terest in stifling that spurious scion which hath been so 
fraudulently engrafted on its princely stock ! ” 

“Thou art warm, Don Fernando, and even the eye of 
Beatriz de Bobadilla reproveth thy heat. The unfortunate 
Joanna never can impair our rights to the throne, for there 
are few nobles in Castile so unworthy as to wish to see the 
crown bestowed where it is believed the blood of Pelayo 
doth not flow.” 

“Don Enriquez hath not kept faith with thee, Isabella, 
since the treaty of Toros de Guisando ! ” 

“ My brother is surrounded by wicked counsellors — and 
then, Fernando,” the princess blushed crimson as she 
spoke, “ neither have we been able rigidly to adhere to 
that convention, since one of its conditions was that my 
hand should not be bestowed without the consent of the 
king.” 

“ He hath driven us into this measure, and hath only to 
reproach himself with our failure on this point.” 

“I endeavor so to view it, though many have been my 
prayers for forgiveness of this seeming breach of faith. I 
am not superstitious, Fernando, else might I think God 
would frown on a union that is contracted in the face of 
pledges like these. But, it is well to distinguish between 
motives, and we have a right to believe that He who read- 
eth the heart, will not judge the well-intentioned severely. 
Had not Don Enriquez attempted to seize mv person, with 
the plain purpose of forcing me to a marriage against my 
will, this decisive step could not have been necessary, and 
would not have been taken.” 


3 » 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ I have reason to thank my patron saint, beautiful 
cousin, that thy will was less compliant than thy tyrants 
had believed.” 

“ I could not plight my troth to the King of Portugal, or 
to Monsieur de Guienne, or to any that they proposed to 
me, for my future lord,” answered Isabella, ingenuously. 
“ It ill befitted royal or noble maidens to set up their own 
inexperienced caprices in opposition to the wisdom of their 
friends, and the task is not difficult for a virtuous wife to 
learn to love her husband, when nature and opinion are 
not too openly violated in the choice ; but I have had too 
much thought for my soul to wish to expose it to so severe 
a trial, in contracting the marriage duties.” 

“ I feel that I am only too unworthy of thee, Isabella — 
but thou must train me to be that thou wouldst wish ; 
I can only promise thee a most willing and attentive 
scholar.” 

The discourse now became more general, Isabella indulg- 
ing her natural curiosity and affectionate nature, by mak- 
ing many inquiries concerning her different relatives in 
Aragon. After the interview had lasted two hours or 
more, the King of Sicily returned to Duenas, with the same 
privacy as he had observed in entering the town. The 
royal pair parted with feelings of increased esteem and re- 
spect, Isabella indulging in those gentle anticipations of 
domestic happiness that more properly belong to the ten- 
der nature of woman. 

The marriage took place, with suitable pomp, on the 
morning of the 19th October, 1469, in the chapel of John 
de Vivero s palace ; no less than two thousand persons, 
principally of condition, witnessing the ceremony. Just 
as the officiating priest was about to commence the offices, 
the eye of Isabella betrayed uneasiness, and, turning to the 
Archbishop of Toledo, she said: 

“ Your grace hath promised that there should be nothing 
wanting to the consent of the church on this solemn oc- 
casion. It is known that Don Fernando of Aragon and I 
stand within the prohibited degrees.” 

“ Most true, my Lady Isabella,” returned the prelate, 
with a composed mien and a paternal smile. “ Happily, 
our holy Father Pius hath removed this impediment, and 
the church smileth on this blessed union in every partic- 
ular.” 

The archbishop then took out of his pocket a dispensa- 
tion, which he read in a clear, sonorous, steady voice ; 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


39 


when every shade disappeared from the serene brow of 
Isabella, and the ceremony proceeded. Years elapsed be- 
fore this pious and submissive Christian princess dis- 
covered that she had been imposed on, the bull that was 
then read having been an invention of the old King of Ara- 
gon and the prelate, not without suspicions of a connivance 
on the part of the bridegroom. This deception had been 
practised from a perfect conviction that the sovereign 
pontiff was too much under the influence of the King of 
Castile to consent to bestow the boon in opposition to 
that monarch’s wishes. It was several years before Sixtus 
IV. repaired this wrong, by granting a more genuine 
authority. 

Nevertheless, Ferdinand and Isabella became -man and 
wife. What followed in the next twenty years must be 
rather glanced at than related. Henry IV. resented the 
step, and vain attempts were made to substitute his sup- 
posititious child, La Beltraneja, in the place of his sister, 
as successor to the throne. A civil war ensued, during 
which Isabella steadily refused to assume the crown, though 
often entreated ; limiting her efforts to the maintenance 
of her rights as heiress presumptive. In 1474, or five years 
after her marriage, Don Henry died, and she then became 
Queen of Castile, though her spurious niece was also pro- 
claimed by a small party among her subjects. The war of 
the succession, as it was called, lasted five years longer, 
when Joanna, or La Beltraneja, assumed the veil, and the 
rights of Isabella were generally acknowledged. About 
the same time died Don John II., when Ferdinand mounted 
the throne of Aragon. These events virtually reduced the 
sovereignties of the peninsula, which had so long been cut 
up into petty states, to four, viz., the possessions of Fer- 
dinand and Isabella, which included Castile, Leon, Aragon, 
Valencia, and many other of the finest provinces of Spain ; 
Navarre, an insignificant kingdom in the Pyrenees ; Por- 
tugal, much as it exists to-day ; and Granada, the last abid- 
ing-place of the Moor north of the strait of Gibraltar. 

Neither Ferdinand, nor his royal consort, was forgetful 
of that clause in their marriage contract, which bound the 
former to undertake a war for the destruction of the Moor- 
ish power. The course of events, however, caused a delay 
of many years in putting this long-projected plan in exe- 
cution ; but when the time finally arrived, that Providence 
which seemed disposed to conduct the pious Isabella, 
through. a train of important incidents, from the reduced 


40 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


condition in which we have just described her to have been, 
to the summit of human power, did not desert its favorite. 
Success succeeded success — and victory, victory ; until 
the Moor had lost fortress after fortress, town after town, 
and was finally besieged in his very capital — his last hold 
in the peninsula. As the reduction of Granada was an 
event that, in Christian eyes, was to be ranked second only 
to the rescuing of the holy sepulchre from the hands of the 
infidels, so was it distinguished by some features of singu- 
larity, that have probably never before marked the course 
of a siege. The place submitted on the 25th November, 
1491 — twenty-two years after the date of the marriage just 
mentioned, and, it may not be amiss to observe, on the 
very day* of the year that has become memorable in the 
annals of this country, as that on which the English, three 
centuries later, reluctantly yielded their last foothold on 
the coast of the republic. 

In the course of the preceding summer, while the Span- 
ish forces lay before the town, and Isabella, with her 
children, were anxious witnesses of the progress of events, 
an accident occurred that had well nigh proved fatal to the 
royal family, and brought destruction on the Christian 
arms. The pavilion of the queen took fire, and was con- 
sumed, placing the whole encampment in the utmost 
jeopardy. Many of the tents of the nobles were also 
destroyed, and much treasure, in the shape of jewelry and 
plate, was lost, though the injury went no further. In 
order to guard against the recurrence of such an accident, 
and probably viewing the subjection of Granada as the 
great act of their mutual reign — for, as yet, Time threw 
his veil around the future, and but one human eye foresaw 
the greatest of all the events of the period, which was still in 
reserve — the sovereigns resolved on attempting a work 
that, of itself, would render this siege memorable. The 
plan of a regular town was made, and laborers set about 
the construction of good substantial edifices, in which to 
lodge the army ; thus converting the warfare into that of 
something like city against city. In three months this 
stupendous work was completed, with its avenues, streets, 
and squares, and received the name of Santa Fe, or Holy 
Faith — an appellation quite as well suited to the zeal which 
could achieve such a work, in the heat of a campaign, as 
to that general reliance on the providence of God which 
animated the Christians in carrying on the war. The con- 
struction of this place struck terror into the hearts of the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


41 


Moors, for they considered it a proof that their enemies 
intended to give up the conflict only with their lives ; and 
it is highly probable that it had a direct and immediate in- 
fluence on the submission of Boabdil, the King of Granada, 
who yielded the Alhambra a few weeks after the Spaniards 
had taken possession of their new abodes. 

Santa Fe still exists, and is visited by the traveller as a 
place of curious origin ; while it is rendered remarkable 
by the fact — real or assumed — that it is the only town of 
any size in Spain that has never been under Moorish sway. 

The main incidents of our tale will now transport us to 
this era, and to this scene ; all that has been related as yet 
being merely introductory matter, "to prepare the reader 
for the events that are to follow. 


CHAPTER IV. 

“ What thing a right line is, the learned know ; 

But how availes that him, who in the right 
Of life and manners doth desire to grow ? 

What then are all these humane arts, and lights, 

But seas of errors ? In whose depths who sound, 

Of truth finde only shadowes, and no ground.” 

— Human Learning. 


The morning of the 2d of January, 1492, was ushered in 
with a solemnity and pomp that were unusual even in a 
court and camp as much addicted to religious observances 
and royal magnificence, as that of Ferdinand and Isabella. 
The sun had scarce appeared, when all in the extraordi- 
nary little city of Santa Fe were afoot, and elate with tri- 
umph. The negotiations for the surrender of Granada, 
which had been going on secretly for weeks, were termi- 
nated ; the army and nation had been formally apprised of 
their results, and this was the day set for the entry of the 
conquerors. 

The court had been in mourning for Don Alonso of 
Portugal, the husband of the Princess Royal of Castile, 
who had died a bridegroom ; but on this joyous occasion 
the trappings of woe were cast aside, and all appeared in 
their gayest and most magnificent apparel. At an hour 
that was still early, the Grand Cardinal moved forward, 
ascending what is called the Hill of Martyrs, at the head 
of a strong body of troops, with a view to take possession. 


42 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


While making the ascent, a party of Moorish cavaliers was 
met ; and at their head rode one in whom, by the dignity 
of his mien and the anguish of his countenance, it was easy 
to recognize the mental suffering of Boabdil, or Abdallah, 
the deposed monarch. The cardinal pointed out the po- 
sition occupied by Ferdinand, who, with that admixture of 
piety and worldly policy which were so closely interwoven 
in his character, had refused to enter within the walls of 
the conquered city, until the symbol of Christ had super- 
seded the banners of Mahomet ; and who had taken his 
station at some distance from the gates, with a purpose and 
display of humility that were suited to the particular fa- 
naticism of the period... As the interview that occurred has 
often been related, and twice quite recently by distinguished 
writers of our own country, it is unnecessary to dwell on it 
here. Abdallah next sought the presence of the purer- 
minded and gentle Isabella, where his reception, with less 
affection of the character, had more of the real charity and 
compassion of the Christian ; when he went his way toward 
that pass in the mountains that has ever since been cele- 
brated as the point where he took his last view of the pal- 
aces and towers of his fathers, from which it has obtained 
the poetical and touching name of El Ultimo Suspiro Del 
Moro. 

Although the passage of the last King of Granada, from 
his palace to the hills, was in no manner delayed, as it was 
grave and conducted with dignity, it consequently occu- 
pied some time. These were hours in which the multitude 
covered the highways, and the adjacent fields were gar- 
nished with a living throng, all of whom kept their eyes 
riveted on the towers of the Alhambra, where the signs of 
possession were anxiously looked for by every good Cath- 
olic who witnessed the triumph of his religion. 

Isabella, who had made this conquest a condition in the 
articles of marriage — whose victory in truth it was — ab- 
stained, with her native modesty, from pressing forward on 
this occasion. She had placed herself at some distance in 
the rear of the position of Ferdinand. Still — unless, in- 
deed, we except the long-coveted towers of the Alhambra 
— she was the centre of attraction. She appeared in royal 
magnificence, as due to the giory of the occasion ; her 
beauty always rendered her an object of admiration ; her 
mildness, inflexible justice, and unyielding truth, had won 
all hearts ; and she was really the person who was most to 
profit by the victory, Granada being attached to her own 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


43 


crown of Castile, and not to that of Aragon, a country that 
possessed little or no contiguous territory. 

Previously to the appearance of Abdallah, the crowd 
moved freely, in all directions ; multitudes of civilians 
having flocked to the camp to witness the entry. Among 
others were many friars, priests, and monks — the war, in- 
deed, having the character of a crusade. The throng of 
the curious was densest near the person of the queen, 
where, in truth, the magnificence of the court was the 
most imposing. Around this spot, in particular, congre- 
gated most of the religious, for they felt that the pious mind 
of Isabella created a sort of moral atmosphere in and near 
her presence, that was peculiarly suited to their habits, and 
favorable to their consideration. Among others was a friar 
of prepossessing mien, and, in fact, of noble birth, who 
had been respectfully addressed as Father Pedro, by sev- 
eral grandees, as he made his way from the immediate 
presence of the queen, to a spot where the circulation was 
easier. He was accompanied by a youth of an air so much 
superior to that of most of those who did not appear that 
day in the saddle, that he attracted general attention. Al- 
though not more than twenty, it was evident, from his 
muscular frame, and embrowned but florid cheeks, that he 
was acquainted with exposure ; and by his bearing, many 
thought, notwithstanding he did not appear in armor on 
an occasion so peculiarly military, that both his mien and 
his frame had been improved by familiarity with war. His 
attire was simple, as if he rather avoided than sought ob- 
servation, but it was, nevertheless, such as was worn by 
none but the noble. Several of those who watched this 
youth, as he reached the less confined portions of the 
crowd, had seen him received graciously by Isabella, whose 
hand he had even been permitted to kiss, a favor that the 
formal and fastidious court of Castile seldom bestowed, 
except on the worthy, or on those, at least, who were un- 
usually illustrious from their birth. Some whispered that 
he was a Guzman, a family that was almost royal ; while 
others thought that he might be a Ponce, a name that had 
got to be one of the first in Spain, through the deeds of 
the renowned Marquis-Duke of Cadiz, in this very war ; 
while others, again, affected to discern in his lofty brow, 
firm step, and animated eye, the port and countenance of 
a Mendoza. 

It was evident that the subject of all these commentaries 
was unconscious of the notice that was attracted by his 


44 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


vigorous form, handsome face, and elastic, lofty tread ; for, 
like one accustomed to be observed by inferiors, his atten- 
tion was confined to such objects as amused his eye, or 
pleased his fancy, while he lent a willing ear to the re- 
marks that, from time to time, fell from the lips of his 
reverend companion. 

“ This is a most blessed and glorious day for Christi- 
anity ! ” observed the friar,, after a pause a little longer 
than common. “ An impious reign of seven hundred years 
hath expired, and the Moor is at length lowered from his 
pride ; while the cross is elevated above the banners of 
the false prophet. Thou hast had ancestors, my son, who 
might almost arise from their tombs, and walk the earth in 
exultation, if the tidings of these changes were permitted 
to reach the souls of Christians long since departed.” 

“ The blessed Maria intercede for them, father, that they 
may not be disturbed, even to see the Moor unhoused ; for 
I doubt much, agreeable as the Infidel hath made it, if they 
find Granada as pleasant as Paradise.” 

“ Son Don Luis, thou hast got much levity of speech, in 
thy late journeyings ; and I doubt if thou art as mindful 
of thy paters and confessions, as when under the care of 
thy excellent mother, of sainted memory ! ” 

This was not only said reprovingly, but with a warmth 
that amounted nearly to anger. 

“ Chide me not so warmly, father, for a lightness of 
speech that cometh of youthful levity, rather than of dis- 
respect for holy church. Nay, thou rebukest warmly, and 
then, as I come like a penitent to lay my transgressions 
before thee, and to seek absolution, thou fastenest thine 
eye on vacancy, and gazest as if one of the spirits of which 
thou so lately spokest actually had arisen and come to see 
the Moor crack his heart-strings at quitting his beloved 
Alhambra ! ” 

“Dost see that man, Luis?” demanded the friar, still 
gazing in a fixed direction, though lie made no gesture to 
indicate to which particular individual of the many who 
were passing in all directions he especially alluded. 

“ By my veracity, I see a thousand, father, though not 
one to fasten the eye as if he were fresh from Paradise. 
Would it be exceeding discretion to ask who or what hath 
thus riveted thy gaze ?” 

“ Dost see yonder person of high and commanding 
stature, and in whom gravity and dignity are so singularly 
mingled with an air of poverty ; or, if not absolutely of 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


45 


poverty — for he is better clad, and, seemingly, in more 
prosperity now than I remember ever to have seen him — • 
still, evidently not of the rich and noble ; while his bearing 
and carriage would seem to bespeak him at least a mon 
arch ?” 

“ I think I now perceive him thou meanest, father ; a 
man of very grave and reverend appearance, though of 
simple deportment. I see nothing extravagant, or ill- 
placed, either in his attire or in his bearing.” 

“ I mean not that ; but there is a loftiness in his digni- 
fied countenance that one is not accustomed to meet in 
those who are unused to power.” 

“ To me he hath the air and dress of a superior navi- 
gator, or pilot — of a man accustomed to the seas — -ay, he 
hath sundry symbols about him that bespeak such a pur- 
suit.” 

“Thou art right, Don Luis, for such is his calling. He 
cometh of Genoa, and his name is Christoval Colon ; or, 
as they term it in Italy, Christoforo Colombo.” 

“ I remember to have heard of an admiral of that name, 
who did good service in the wars of the south, and who 
formerly led a fleet into the far east.” 

“This is not he, but one of humbler habits, though pos- 
sibly of the same blood, seeing that both are derived from 
the identical place. This is no admiral, though he fain 
would become one — ay, even a king ! ” 

“ The man is, then, either of a weak mind, or of a light 
ambition.” 

“ He is neither. In mind he hath outdone many of our 
most learned churchmen ; and it is due to his piety to say 
that a more devout Christian doth not exist in Spain. It 
is plain, son, that thou hast been much abroad, and little 
at court, or thou wouldst have known the history of this 
extraordinary being, at the mention of his name, which 
has been the source of merriment for the frivolous and 
gay this many a year, and which has thrown the thought- 
ful and prudent into more doubts than many a fierce and 
baneful heresy.” 

“ Thou stirrest my curiosity, father, by such language. 
Who and what is the man ?” 

“ An enigma, that neither prayers to the Virgin, the 
learning of the cloisters, nor a zealous wish to reach the 
truth, hath enabled me to read. Come hither, Luis, to 
this bit of rock, where we can be seated, and I will relate 
to thee the opinions that render this being so extraordi- 


46 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


nary. Thou must know, son, it is now seven years since 
this man first appeared among us. He sought employ- 
ment as a discoverer, pretending that, by steering out into 
the ocean, on a western course, for a great and unheard- 
of distance, he could reach the farther Indies, with the rich 
island of Cipango, and the kingdom of Cathay, of which 
one Marco Polo hath left us some most extraordinary le- 
gends.” 

“ By St. James of blessed memory ! the man must be 
short of his wits!” interrupted Don Luis, laughing. “In 
what way could this thing be, unless the earth were round 
— the Indies lying east, and not west of us ? ” 

“That hath been often objected to his notions ; but the 
man hath ready answers to much weightier arguments.” 

“ What weightier than this can be found ? Our own eyes 
tell us that the earth is flat.” 

“Therein he differeth from most men — and to own the 
truth, son Luis, not without some show of reason. He is 
a navigator, as thou wilt understand, and he replies that, 
on the ocean, when a ship is seen from afar, her upper 
sails are first perceived, and that as she draweth nearer, 
her lower sails, and finally her hull cometh into view. But 
thou hast been over sea, and may have observed something 
of this.” 

“ Truly have I, father. While mounting the English 
sea, we met a gallant cruiser of the king’s, and, as thou 
said’st, we first perceived her upper sail, a white speck 
upon the water ; then followed sail after sail, until we 
came nigh and saw her gigantic hull, with a very goodly 
show of bombards and cannon — some twenty at least, 
in all.” 

“Then thou agreest with this Colon, and thinkest the 
earth round?” 

“ By St. George of England ! not I. I have seen too 
much of the world, to traduce its fair surface in so heed- 
less a manner. England, France, Burgundy, Germany, 
and all those distant countries of the north, are just as level 
and flat as our own Castile.” 

“Why, then, didst thou see the upper sails of the Eng- 
lishman first ? ” 

“ Why, father — why — because they were first visible. 
Yes, because they first came in view.” 

“ Do the English put the largest of their sails upper- 
most on the masts ? ” 

“They would be fools if they did. Though no great 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


47 


navigators — our neighbors the Portuguese, and the people 
of Genoa, exceeding all others in that craft — though no 
great navigators, the English are not surpassingly stupid. 
Thou wilt remember the force of the winds, and un- 
derstand that the larger the sail the lower should be its 
position.” 

“ Then how happened it that thou sawest the smaller 
object before the larger ? ” 

“ Truly, excellent Fray Pedro, thou hast not conversed 
with this Christoforo for nothing ! A question is not a 
reason.” 

“ Socrates was fond of questions, son ; but he expected 
answers.” 

“ Peste! as they say at the court of King Louis. I am 
not Socrates, my good father, but thy old pupil and kins- 
man, Luis de Bobadilla, the truant nephew of the queen’s 
favorite, the Marchioness of Moya, and as well-born a cav- 
alier as there is in Spain — though somewhat given to 
roving, if my enemies are to be believed.” 

“ Neither thy pedigree, thy character, nor thy vagaries, 
need be given to me, Don Luis de Bobadilla, since I have 
known thee and thy career from childhood. Thou hast 
one merit that none will deny thee, and that is, a respect 
for truth ; and never hast thou more completely vindicated 
thy character, in this particular, than when thou saidst 
thou were not Socrates.” 

The worthy friar’s good-natured smile, as he made this 
sally, took off some of its edge ; and the young man 
laughed, as if too conscious of his own youthful follies to 
resent what he heard. 

“But, dear Fray Pedro, lay aside thy government, for 
once, and stoop to a rational discourse with me on this ex- 
traordinary subject. Thou, surely, wilt not pretend that 
the earth is round ? ” 

“ I do not go as far as some on this point, Luis, for I see 
difficulties with Holy Writ, by the admission. Still, this 
matter of the sails much puzzleth me, and I have often felt 
a desire to go from one port to another, by sea, in order to 
witness it. Were it not for the exceeding nausea that I 
ever feel in a boat, 1 might attempt the experiment.” 

“ That would be a worthy consummation of all thy wis- 
dom ! ” exclaimed the young man, laughing. “ Fray Pedro 
de Carrascal turned rover, like his old pupil, and that, too, 
astride a vagary ! But set thy heart at rest, my honored 
kinsman and excellent instructor, for I can save thee the 


48 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


trouble. In all my journeyings, by sea and by land — and 
thou knowest that, for my years, they have been many— 
I have ever found the earth flat, and the ocean the flat- 
test portion of it, always excepting a few turbulent and 
uneasy waves.” 

“No doubt it so seemeth to the eye ; but tins Colon, who 
hath voyaged far more than thou, thinketh otherwise. He 
contendeth that the earth is a sphere, and that, by sailing 
west, he can reach points that have been already attained 
by journeying east.” 

“ By San Lorenzo ! but the idea is a bold one ! Doth 
the man really propose to venture out into the broad At- 
lantic, and even to cross it to some distant and unknown 
land ? ” 

“ That is his very idea ; and for seven weary years hath 
he solicited the court to furnish him with the means. Nay, 
as I hear, he hath passed much more time — other seven 
years, perhaps — in urging his suit in different lands.” 

“If the earth be round,” continued Don Luis, with a 
musing air, “ what preventeth all the water from flowing 
to the lower parts of it ? How is it, that we have any seas 
at all? and if, as thou hast hinted, he deemeth the Indies 
on the other side, how is it that their people stand erect ? 
— it cannot be done without placing the feet uppermost.” 

“ That difficulty hath been presented to Colon, but he 
treateth it lightly. Indeed, most of our churchmen are 
getting to believe that there is no up or down, except as it 
relateth to the surface of the earth ; so that no great ob- 
stacle existeth in that point.” 

“ Thou would’st not have me understand, father, that a 
man can walk on his head — and that, too, with the noble 
member in the air? By San Francisco! thy men of Cathay 
must have talons like a cat, or they would be falling, 
quickly ! ” 

“ Whither, Luis ? ” 

“ Whither, Fray Pedro ? — to Tophet, or the bottomless 
pit. It can never be that men walk on their heads, heels 
uppermost, with no better foundation than the atmosphere. 
The caravels, too, must sail on their masts — and that would 
be rare navigation ! What would prevent the sea from 
tumbling out of its bed, and falling on the Devil’s fires 
and extinguishing them? ” 

“Son Luis,” interrupted the monk, gravely, “thy light- 
ness of speech is carried too far. But, if thou so much 
deridest the opinion of this Colon, what are thine own 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


49 


notions of the formation of this earth, that God hath so 
honored with his spirit and his presence?” 

“That it is as flat as the buckler of the Moor I slew in 
the last sortie, which is as flat as steel can hammer iron.” 

“Dost thou think it hath limits?” 

“That do I — and please heaven, and Dona Mercedes de 
Val verde, I will see them before I die !” 

“Then thou fanciest there is an edge, or precipice, at 
the four sides of the world, which men may reach, and 
where they can stand and look off, as from an exceeding 
high platform ? ” 

“ The picture doth not lose, father, for the touch of thy 
pencil ! I have never bethought me of this before ; and 
yet some such spot there must be, one would think. By 
San Fernando, himself ! that would be a place to try the 
metal of even Don Alonso de Ojeda, who might stand on 
the margin of the earth, put his foot on a cloud, and cast 
an orange to the moon ! ” 

“ Thou hast bethought thee little of anything serious, I 
fear, Luis ; but to me, this opinion and this project of 
Colon are not without merit. I see but two serious ob- 
jections to them, one of which is, the difficulty connected 
with Holy Writ ; and the other, the vast and incompre- 
hensible, nay, useless, extent of the ocean that must neces- 
sarily separate us from Cathay ; else should we long since 
have heard from that quarter of the world.” 

“ Do the learned favor the man’s notions ? ” 

“The matter hath been seriously argued before a coun- 
cil held at Salamanca, where men were much divided upon 
it. One serious obstacle is the apprehension that should 
the world prove to be round, and could a ship even suc- 
ceed in getting to Cathay by the west, there would be great 
difficulty in her ever returning, since there must be, in 
some manner, an ascent and a descent. I must say that 
most men deride this Colon ; and I fear he will never reach 
his island of Cipango, as he doth not seem in the way even 
to set forth on the journey. I marvel that he should now 
be here, it having been said he had taken his final depart- 
ure for Portugal.” 

“ Dost thou say, father, that the man hath long been in 
Spain ? ” demanded Don Luis, gravely, with his eye riveted 
on the dignified form of Columbus, who stood calmly 
regarding the gorgeous spectacle of the triumph, at no 
great distance from the rock where the two had taken their 
seats. 


4 


50 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Seven weary years hath he been soliciting- the rich and 
the great to furnish him with the means of undertaking his 
favorite voyage.” 

“ Hath he the gold to prefer so long a suit ? ” 

“ By his appearance, I should think him poor— nay, I 
know that he hath toiled for bread, at the occupation of a 
map-maker. One hour he hath passed in arguing with 
philosophers and in soliciting princes, while the next hath 
been occupied in laboring for the food that he hath taken 
for sustenance.” 

“Thy description, father, hath whetted curiosity to so 
keen an edge, that I would fain speak with this Colon. I 
see he remaineth yonder, in the crowd, and will go and tell 
him that I, too, am somewhat of a navigator, and will ex- 
tract from him a few of his peculiar ideas.” 

“And in what manner wilt thou open the acquaintance, 
son ? ” 

“ By telling him that I am Don Luis de Bobadilla, the 
nephew of the Dona Beatriz of Moya, and a noble of one 
of the best houses of Castile.” 

“And this, thou thinkest, will suffice for thy purpose, 
Luis!” returned the friar, smiling. “No — no — my son; 
this may do with most map-sellers, but it will not effect 
thy wishes with yonder Christoval Colon. That man is so 
filled with the vastness of his purposes ; is so much raised 
up with the magnitude of the results that his mind intently 
contemplateth, day and night ; seemeth so conscious of his 
own powers, that even kings and princes can, in no manner, 
lessen his dignity. That which thou proposest, Don Fer- 
nando, our honored master, might scarcely attempt, and 
hope to escape without some rebuke of manner, if not of 
tongue.” 

“ By all the blessed saints ! Fray Pedro, thou givest an 
extraordinary account of this man,' and only increasest the 
desire to know him. Wilt thou charge thyself with the 
introduction ? ” 

“ Most willingly, for I wish to inquire what hath brought 
him back to court, whence, I had understood, he lately 
went, with the intent to go elsewhere with his projects. 
Leave the mode in my hands, son Luis, and we will see 
what can be accomplished.” 

The friar and his mercurial young companion now arose 
from their seats on the rock, and threaded the throng, tak- 
ing the direction necessary to approach the man who had 
been the subject of their discourse, and still remained that 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


51 


of their thoughts. When near enough to speak, Fray 
Pedro stopped, and stood patiently waiting for a moment 
when he might catch the navigator’s eye. This did not 
occur for several minutes, the looks of Colon being riveted 
on the towers of the Alhambra, where, at each instant, the 
signal of possession was expected to appear ; and Luis de 
Bobadilla, who, truant, and errant, and volatile, and diffi- 
cult to curb, as he had proved himself to be, never forgot 
his illustrious birth and the conventional distinctions at- 
tached to personal rank, began to manifest his impatience 
at being kept so long dancing attendance on a mere map- 
seller and a pilot. He in vain urged his companion to ad- 
vance, however ; but one of his own hurried movements 
at length drew aside the look of Columbus, when the eyes 
of the latter and of the friar met, and being old acquaint- 
ances, they saluted in the courteous manner of the age. 

“ I felicitate you, Senor Colon, on the glorious termina- 
tion of this siege, and rejoice that you are here to witness 
it, as I had heard affairs of magnitude had called you to 
another country.” 

“ The hand of God, father, is to be traced in all things. 
You perceive in this success the victory of the cross ; but 
to me it conveyeth a lesson of perseverance, and sayeth as 
plainly as events can speak, that what God hath decreed, 
must come to pass.” 

“ I like your application, Senor ; as, indeed, I do most 
of your thoughts on our holy religion. Perseverance is 
truly necessary to salvation ; and I doubt not that a fitting 
symbol to the same may be found in the manner in which 
our pious sovereigns have conducted this war, as well as 
in its glorious termination.” 

“True, father ; and also doth it furnish a symbol to the 
fortunes of all enterprises that have the glory of God and 
the welfare of the church in view,’' answered Colon, or 
Columbus, as the name has been Latinized ; his eye kind- 
ling with that latent fire which seems so deeply seated in 
the visionary and the enthusiast. “ It may seem out of rea- 
son to you, to make such applications of these great events ; 
but the triumph of their Highnesses this day, marvellously 
encourageth me to persevere, and not to faint, in my own 
weary pilgrimage, both leading to triumphs of the cross.” 

“Since you are pleased to speak of your own schemes, 
Senor Colon,” returned the friar, ingenuously, “I am not 
sorry that the matter hath come up between us ; for here 
is a youthful kinsman of mine, who hath been somewhat 


5 2 


MERCEDES OF CAS7YLE. 


of a rover, himself, in the indulgence of a youthful fancy, 
that neither friends nor yet love could restrain ; and having 
heard of your noble projects, he is burning with a desire 
to learn more of them from your own mouth, should it 
suit your condescension so to indulge him.” 

“ I am always happy to yield to the praiseworthy wishes 
of the young and adventurous, and shall cheerfully com- 
municate to your young friend all he may desire to know,” 
answered Columbus, with a simplicity and dignity that at 
once put to flight all the notions of superiority and affa- 
bility with which Don Luis had intended to carry on the 
conversation, and which had the immediate effect to satisfy 
the young man that he was to be the obliged and honored 
party, in the intercourse that was to follow. “ But, Senor, 
you have forgotten to give me the name of the cavalier.” 

“ It is Don Luis de Bobadilla, a youth whose best claims 
to your notice, perhaps, are, a most adventurous and rov- 
ing spirit, and the fact that he may call your honored 
friend, the Marchioness of Moya, his aunt.” 

“Either would be sufficient, father. I love the spirit of 
adventure in the youthful ; for it is implanted, no doubt, 
by God, in order that they may serve his all-wise and be- 
neficent designs ; and it is of such as these that my own 
chief worldly stay and support must be found. Then, 
next to Father Juan Perez de Marchena and Senor Alonso 
de Quintanilla, do I esteem Dona Beatriz, among my 
fastest friends ; her kinsman, therefore, will be certain of 
my esteem and respect.” 

All this sounded extraordinary to Don Luis ; for, though 
the dress and appearance of this unknown stranger, who 
even spoke the Castilian with a foreign accent, were re- 
spectable, he had been told he was merely a pilot, or navi- 
gator, who earned his bread by toil ; and it was not usual 
for the noblest of Castile to be thus regarded, as it might be, 
with a condescending favor, by any inferior to those who 
could claim the blood and lineage of princes. At first he 
was disposed to resent the words of the stranger ; then to 
laugh in his face ; but, observing that the friar treated him 
with great deference, and secretly awed by the air of the 
reputed projector, he was not only successful in maintain- 
ing a suitable deportment, but he made a proper and cour- 
teous reply, such as became his name and breeding. The 
three then retired together, a little aloof from the thickest 
of the throng, and found seats, also, on one of the rocks, 
of which so many were scattered about the place. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


53 


r ‘ Don Luis hath visited foreign lands, you say, father,” 
said Coluipbus, who did not fail to lead the discourse, like 
one entitled to it by rank, or personal claims, “and hath 
a craving for the wonders and dangers of the ocean ? ” 

“ Such hath been either his merit or his fault, Senor ; 
had he listened to the wishes of Doha Beatriz, or to my 
advice, he would not have thrown aside his knightly career 
for one so little in unison with his training and birth.” 

“Nay, father, you treat the youth with unmerited sever- 
ity ; he who passeth a life on the ocean, cannot be said to 
pass it in either an ignoble or a useless manner. God 
separated different countries by vast bodies of water, not 
with any intent to render their people strangers to each 
other, but, doubtless, that they might meet amid the won- 
ders with which he hath adorned the ocean, and glorify 
his name and power so much the more. We all have our 
moments of thoughtlessness in youth — a period when we 
yield to our impulses rather than to our reason ; and as I 
confess to mine, I am little disposed to bear too hard on 
Senor Don Luis, that he hath had Ins'.” 

“You have probably battled with the Infidel, by sea, 
Senor Colon,” observed the young man, not a little em- 
barrassed as to the manner in which he should introduce 
the subject he most desired. 

“ Ay, and by land, too, son ” — the familiarity startled the 
young noble, though he could not take offence at it — “and 
by land too. The time hath been, when I had a pleasure 
in relating my perils and escapes, which have been numer- 
ous, both from war and tempests ; but, since the power of 
God hath awakened my spirit to mightier things, that his 
will may be done, and his -word spread throughout the 
whole earth, my memory ceaseth to dwell on them.” Fray 
Pedro crossed himself, and Don Luis smiled and shrugged 
his shoulders, as one is apt to do when he listens to any- 
thing extravagant ; but the navigator proceeded in the 
earnest, grave manner that appeared to belong to his char- 
acter. “ It is now very many years since I was engaged in 
that remarkable combat between the forces of my kinsman 
and namesake, the younger Colombo, as he was called, to 
distinguish him from his uncle, the ancient admiral of the 
same name, which took place not far north from Cape St. 
Vincent. On that bloody day, we contended with the foe 
— Venetians, richly laden — from morn till even, and yet 
the Lord carried me through the hot contest unharmed. 
On another occasion, the galley in which I fought was con- 


54 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


sumed by fire, and I had to find my way to land — no trifling 
distance — by the aid of an oar. To me, it seqmeth that 
the hand of God was in this, and that he would not have 
taken so signal and tender a care of one of his insignifi- 
cant creatures, unless to use him largely for his own honor 
and glory.” 

Although the eye of the navigator grew brighter as he 
uttered this, and his cheek flushed with a species of holy 
enthusiasm, it was impossible to confound one so grave, so 
dignified, so measured even in his exaggerations (if such 
they were), with the idle and light-minded, who mistake 
momentary impulses for indelible impressions, and passing 
vanities for the convictions that temper character. Fray 
Pedro, instead of smiling, or in any manner betraying that 
he regarded the other’s opinions iightly, devoutly crossed 
himself again, and showed by the sympathy expressed in 
his countenance, how much he entered into the profound 
religious faith of the speaker. 

“The ways of God are often mysterious to his creat- 
ures,” said the friar; “but we are taught that they all 
lead to the exaltation of his name and to the glory of his 
attributes.” 

“ It is so that I consider it, father ; and with such views 
have I always regarded my own humble efforts to honor 
him. We are but instruments, and useless instruments, too, 
when we look at how little proceedeth from our own spirits 
and power.” 

“ There cometh the blessed symbol that is our salvation 
and guide ! ” exclaimed the friar, holding out both arms 
eagerly, as if to embrace some distant object in the heavens, 
immediately falling to his knees, and bowing his shaven 
and naked head, in deep humility, to the earth. 

Columbus turned his eyes in the direction indicated by 
his companion’s gestures, and he beheld the large silver 
cross that the sovereigns had carried with them through- 
out the late war, as a pledge of its objects, glittering on 
the principal tower of the Alhambra. At the next instant, 
the banners of Castile and of St. James were unfolded from 
other elevated places. Then came the song of triumph, 
mingled with the chants of the church. Te Deum was 
sung, and the choirs of the royal chapel chanted in the 
open fields the praises of the Lord of Hosts. A scene of 
magnificent religious pomp, mingled with martial array, 
followed, that belongs rather to general history than to the 
particular and private incidents of our tale. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


55 


CHAPTER V. 

“Who hath not proved how feebly words essay 
To fix one spark of beauty’s heavenly ray? 

Who doth not feel, until his failing sight 
Faints into dimness with its own delight, 

His changing cheek, his sinking heart confess 
The might — the majesty of loveliness ! ” — Byron. 

That night the court of Castile and Aragon slept in the 
palace of the Alhambra. As soon as the religious ceremony 
alluded to in the last chapter had terminated, the crowd 
rushed into the place, and the princes followed, with a dig- 
nity and state better suited to their high character. The 
young Christian nobles, accompanied by their wives and 
sisters — for the presence of Isabella, and the delay that at- 
tended the surrender, had drawn together a vast many of 
the gentler sex, in addition to those whose duty it was to 
accompany their royal mistress — hurried eagerly through 
the celebrated courts and fretted apartments of this re- 
markable residence ; nor was curiosity appeased even when 
night came to place a temporary stay to its indulgence. 
The Court of the Lions in particular, a place still renowned 
throughout Christendom for its remains of oriental 
beauty, had been left by Boabdil in the best condition ; and, 
although it was midwinter, by the aid of human art it was 
even then gay with flowers ; while the adjacent halls, those 
of the Two Sisters and of Abencerrages, were brilliant with 
light, and alive with warriors and courtiers, dignified priests 
and luxuriant beauty. 

Although no Spanish eye could be otherwise than famil- 
iar with the light peculiar graces of Moorish architecture, 
these of the Alhambra so much surpassed those of any 
other palace which had been erected by the Mussulman 
dynasties of that part of the world, that their glories struck 
the beholders with the freshness of novelty, as well as with 
the magnificence of royalty. The rich conceits in stucco, 
an art of eastern origin then little understood in Christen- 
dom ; the graceful and fanciful arabesques — which, im- 
proved on by the fancies of some of the greatest geniuses 
the world ever saw, have descended to our own times, and 
got to be so familiar in Europe, though little known on this 
side of the Atlantic— decorated the walls, while brilliant 


5 * 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


fountains cast their waters into the air, and fell in glitter- 
ing spray, resembling diamonds. 

Among the throng that moved through this scene of al- 
most magical beauty, was Beatriz de Bobadilla, who had 
long been the wife of Don Andres de Cabrera, and was now 
generally known as the Marchioness of Moya ; the con- 
stant, near, and confidential friend of the queen, a charac- 
ter she retained until her royal mistress was numbered with 
the dead. On her arm leaned lightly a youthful female, of an 
appearance so remarkable, that few strangers would have 
passed her without turning to take a second look at feat- 
ures and a countenance that were seldom seen and forgotten. 
This was Doha Mercedes de Valverde, one of the noblest 
and richest heiresses of Castile ; the relative, ward, and 
adopted daughter of the queen’s friend — favorite being 
hardly the term one would apply to the relation in which 
Doha Beatriz stood toward Isabella. It was not the par- 
* ticular beauty of Doha Mercedes, however, that rendered 
her appearance so remarkable and attractive : for, though 
feminine, graceful, of exquisite form, and even of pleasing 
features, there were many in that brilliant court who would 
generally be deemed fairer. But- no other maiden of Castile 
had a countenance so illuminated by the soul within, or 
no other female face habitually wore so deep an impression 
of sentiment and sensibility ; and the professed physiog- 
nomist would have delighted to trace the evidences of a 
deeply-seated, earnest, but unobtrusive enthusiasm, which 
even cast a shade of melancholy over a face that fortune and 
the heart had equally intended should be sunny and serene. 
Serene it was, notwithstanding the shadow that rested on 
it seeming to soften and render interesting its expression, 
rather than to disturb its tranquillity or to cloud its loveli- 
ness. 

On the other side of the noble matron walked Luis de 
Bobadilla, keeping a little in advance of his aunt, in a way 
to permit his own dark, flashing looks to meet, whenever 
feeling and modesty would allow it, the fine, expressive 
blue eyes of Mercedes. The three conversed freely, for 
the royal personages had retired to their private apart- 
ments, and each group of passengers was so much en-. 
tranced with the novelty of its situation and its own con- 
versation, as to disregard the remarks of others. 

“This is a marvel, Luis,” observed Doha Beatriz, in 
continuation of a subject that evidently much interested 
them all, “ that thou, a truant and a rover thyself, should 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


57 


now have heard for the first time of this Colon ! It is 
many years since he has been soliciting their Highnesses 
for their royal aid in effecting his purposes. The matter 
of his schemes was solemnly debated before a council at 
Salamanca ; and he hath not been without believers at the 
Court itself.” 

“Among whom is. to be classed Dona Beatriz de Ca- 
brera,” said Mercedes, with that melancholy smile that 
had the effect to bring out glimpses of all the deep but 
latent feeling that lay concealed beneath the surface : “ I 
have often heard Her Highness declare that Colon hath 
no truer friend in Castile.” 

“Her Highness is seldom mistaken, child — and never 
in my heart. I do uphold the man ; for to me he seemeth 
one fitted for some great and honorable undertaking ; and 
surely none greater hath ever been proposed or imagined 
by human mind, than this he urgeth. Think of our be- 
coming acquainted with the nations of the other side of 
the earth, and of finding easy and direct means of com- 
municating with them, and of imparting to them the con- 
solations of Holy Church ! ” 

“Ay, Senora my aunt,” cried Luis, laughing, “and of 
walking in their delightful company with all our heels in 
the air, and our heads downward ! I hope this Colon hath 
not neglected to practise a little in the art, for it will need 
some time to gain a sure foot, in such circumstances. He 
might commence on the sides of these mountains, by way 
of a horn-book, throwing the head boldly off at a right- 
angle ; after which, the walls and towers of this Alhambra 
would make a very pretty grammar, or stepping-stone to 
new progress.” 

Mercedes had unconsciously but fervently pressed the 
arm of her guardian, as Dona Beatriz admitted her interest 
in the success of the great project ; but at this sally of 
Don Luis, she looked serious, and threw a glance at him, 
that he himself felt to be reproachful. To win the love of 
his aunt’s ward was the young man’s most ardent wish ; 
and a look of dissatisfaction could at any moment repress 
that exuberance of spirits which often led him into an 
appearance of levity that did injustice to the really sterling 
qualities of both his heart and mind. Under the influ- 
ence of that look, then, he was not slow to repair the 
wrong he had done himself, by adding almost as soon as 
he had ceased to speak — 

“ The Dona Mercedes is of the discovering party, too, I 


58 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


see ; this Colon appeareth to have had more success with 
the dames of Castile than with her nobles — ” 

“ Is it extraordinary, Don Luis,” interrupted the pen- 
sive-looking girl, “that woman should have more confi- 
dence in merit, more generous impulses, more zeal for 
God, than man ? ” 

“It must be even so, since you and my aunt, Doha Bea- 
triz, side with the navigator. But I am not always to be 
understood in the light I express myself Mercedes now 
smiled, but this time it was archly — “ I have never studied 
with the minstrels, nor, sooth to say, deeply with the 
churchmen. To be honest with you, I have been much 
struck with this noble idea ; and if Sefior Colon doth, in 
reality, sail in quest of Cathay and the Indies, I shall pray 
their Highnesses to let me be one of the party, for, now 
that the Moor is subdued, there remaineth little for a noble 
to do in Spain.” 

“If thou should’st really go on this expedition,” said 
Doha Beatriz, with grave irony, “there will, at least, be 
one human being topsy-turvy, in the event of thy reaching 
Cathay. But yonder is an attendant of the court ; I doubt 
if Her Highness doth not desire my presence.” 

The Lady of Moya was right — the messenger coming to 
announce to her that the queen required her attendance. 
The manners of the day and country rendered it unseemly 
that Dona Mercedes should continue her promenade ac- 
companied only by Don Luis, and the marchioness led the 
way to her own apartments, where a saloon suitable to 
her rank and to her favor with the queen, had been se- 
lected for her from among the numberless gorgeous rooms 
of the Moorish kings. Even here the marchioness paused 
a moment, in thought, before she would leave her errant 
nephew alone with her ward. 

“Though a rover, he is no troubadour, and cannot 
charm thy ear with false rhymes. It were better, perhaps, 
that I sent him beneath thy balcony with his guitar ; but 
knowing so well his dulness, I will confide in it, and leave 
him with thee for the few minutes that I shall be ab- 
sent. A cavalier who hath so strong a dislike to reversing 
the order of nature, will not surely condescend to go on 
Lis knees, even though it be to win a smile from the sweet- 
est maiden in all Castile.” 

Don Luis laughed ; Dona Beatriz smiled, as she kissed 
her ward and left the room, while Dona Mercedes blushed 
tind riveted her gaze on the floor. Luis de Bobadilla was 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


59 


the declared suitor and sworn knight of Mercedes de Val- 
verde ; but, though so much favored by birth, fortune, 
affinity, and figure, there existed some serious impedi- 
ments to his success. In all that was connected with the 
considerations that usually decide such things, the union 
was desirable ; but there existed, nevertheless, a strong in- 
fluence to overcome, in the scruples of Dona Beatriz her- 
self. High-principled, accustomed to the just-minded 
views of her royal mistress, and too proud to do an un- 
worthy act, the very advantages that a marriage with her 
ward offered to her nephew, had caused the marchioness 
to hesitate. Don Luis had little of the Castilian gravity 
of character — and, by many, his animal spirits were mis- 
taken for lightness of disposition and levity of thought 
His mother was a woman of a very illustrious French fam- 
ily ; and national pride had induced most observers to 
fancy that the son inherited a constitutional disposition to 
frivolity, that was to be traced to the besetting weakness 
of a whole people. A consciousness of his being so viewed 
at home had, indeed, driven the youth abroad ; and as, 
like all observant travellers, he was made doubly sensible 
of the defects of his own state of society on his return, a 
species of estrangement had grown up between him and 
his natural associates that had urged the young man, 
again and again, to wander into foreign lands. Nothing, 
indeed, but his early and constantly increasing passion for 
Mercedes had induced him to return ; a step that, fortu- 
nately for himself, he had last taken in time to assist in 
the reduction of Granada. Notwithstanding these traits, 
which, in a country like Castile, might be properly enough 
termed peculiarities, Don Luis de Bobadilla was a knight 
worthy of his lineage and name. His prowess in the field 
and in the tourney, indeed, was so very marked as to give 
him a high military character, in despite of what were 
deemed his failings ; and he passed rather as an inconsid- 
erate and unsafe young man, than as one who was either 
debased or wicked. Martial qualities, in that age in par- 
ticular, redeemed a thousand faults, and Don Luis had 
even been known to unhorse, in the tourney, Alonzo de 
Ojeda, then the most expert lance in Spain. Such a man 
could not be despised, though he might be distrusted. 
But the feeling which governed his aunt referred quite as 
much to her own character as to his. Deeply conscien- 
tious, while she understood her nephew’s real qualities 
much better than mere superficial observers, she had her 


6o 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


doubts about the propriety of giving the rich heiress who 
was entrusted to her care, to so near a relative, when all 
could not applaud the act. She feared, too, that her own 
partiality might deceive her, and that Luis might in truth 
be the light and frivolous being he sometimes appeared 
to be in Castilian eyes, and that the happiness of her 
ward would prove the sacrifice of the indiscretion. With 
these doubts, then, while she secretly desired the union, * 
she had in public looked coldly on her nephew’s suit ; 
and, though unable, without a harshness that circum- 
stances would not warrant, to prevent all intercourse, she 
had not only taken frequent occasions to let Mercedes 
understand her distrust, but she had observed the precau- 
tion not to leave so handsome a suitor, notwithstanding 
he was often domiciliated in her own house, much alone 
with her ward. 

The state of Mercedes’ feelings was known only to her- 
self. She was beautiful, of an honorable family, and an 
heiress ; and as human infirmities were as besetting beneath 
the stately mien of the fifteenth century as they are to-day, 
she had often heard the supposed faults of Don Luis’ char- 
acter sneered at, by those who felt distrustful of his good 
looks and his opportunities. Few young females would 
have had the courage to betray any marked preference 
under such circumstances, until prepared to avow their 
choice, and to take sides with its subject against the world ; 
and the quiet but deep enthusiasm that prevailed in the 
moral system of the fair young Castilian, was tempered by 
a prudence that prevented her from running into most of 
its lighter excesses. The forms and observances that usu- 
ally surround young women of rank, came in aid of this 
native prudence ; and even Don Luis himself, though he 
had watched the countenance and emotions of her to whom 
he had so long urged his suit, with a lover’s jealousy and 
a lover’s instincts, was greatly in doubt whether he had 
succeeded in the least in touching her heart. By one of 
those unlooked-for concurrences of circumstances that so 
often decide the fortunes of men, whether as lovers or in 
more worldly-minded pursuits, these doubts were now 
about to be unexpectedly and suddenly removed. 

The triumph of the Christian arms, the novelty of her 
situation, and the excitement of the whole scene, had 
aroused the feelings of Mercedes from that coy conceal- 
ment in which they usually lay smothered beneath the 
covering of maiden diffidence ; and throughout the evening 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


61 


her smile had been more open, her eye brighter, and her 
cheeks more deeply flushed, than was usual even with one 
whose smiles were always sweet, whose eyes were never 
dull, and whose cheeks answered so sensitively to the vary- 
ing impulses within. 

As his aunt quitted the room, leaving him alone with 
Mercedes for the first time since his return from his last 
ramble, Don Luis eagerly threw himself on a stool that 
stood near the feet of his adored, who placed herself on a 
sumptuous couch, that, twenty-four hours before, had held 
the person of a princess of Abdallah’s family. 

“Muchas I honor and reverence Her Highness,” the 
young man hurriedly commenced, “my respect and ven- 
eration are now increased ten-fold ! Would that she might 
send for my beloved aunt thrice where she now wants iier 
services only once ! and may her presence become so neces- 
sary to her sovereign that the affairs of Castile cannot go 
on without her counsel, if so blessed an opportunity as 
this, to tell you all I feel, Dona Mercedes, is to follow her 
obedience ! ” 

“It is not they who are most fluent of speech, or the 
most vehement, who always feel the deepest, Don Luis de 
Bobadilla.” 

“ Nor do they feel the least. Mercedes, thou canst not 
doubt my love ! It hath grown with my growth — increased 
with each increase of my ideas — until it hath got to be so 
interwoven with my mind itself, that I can scarce use a 
faculty that thy dear image doth not mingle with it. In 
all that is beautiful, I behold thee ; if I listen to the song 
of a bird, it is thy carol to the lute ; or if I feel the gentle 
south wind from the fragrant isles fanning my cheek, I 
would fain think it thy sigh.” 

“ You have dwelt so much among the light conceits of 
the French court, Don Luis, you appear to have forgotten 
that the heart of a Castilian girl is too true, and too sin- 
cere, to meet such rhapsodies with favor.” 

Had Don Luis been older, or more experienced in the 
sex, he would have been flattered by this rebuke — for he 
would have detected in the speaker’s manner, both feeling 
of a gentler nature than her words expressed, and a tender 
regret. 

“ If thou ascribest to me rhapsodies, thou dost me great 
injustice. I may not do credit to my own thoughts and 
feelings ; but never hath my tongue uttered aught to thee, 
Mercedes, that the heart hath not honestly urged. Have 


62 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


I not loved thee since thou and I were children ? Did 1 
ever fail to- show my preference for thee when we were 
boy and girl, in all the sports and light-hearted enjoyments 
of that guileless period ?” 

“ Guileless, truly,” answered Mercedes, her look bright- 
ening as it might be with agreeable fancies and a flood of 
pleasant recollections — doing more in a single instant, to 
break down the barriers of her reserve, than years of 
schooling had effected toward building them up. “Thou 
wert then, at least, sincere, Luis, and I placed full faith in 
thy friendship, and in thy desire to please.” 

“Bless thee, bless thee, for these precious words, Mer- 
cedes ! for the first time in two years, hast thou spoken to 
me as thou wert wont to do, and called me Luis without 
that courtly, accursed, Don.” 

“A noble Castilian should never regard his honors light- 
ly, and he oweth it to his rank to see that others respect 
them, too;*' answered our heroine, looking down, as if 
she already half repented of the familiarity. “You are 
quick to remind me of my forgetfulness, Don Luis de 
Bobadilla.” 

“This unlucky tongue of mine can never follow the 
path that its owner wisheth ! Hast thou not seen in all my 
looks — all my acts — all my motives — a desire to please 
thee, and thee alone, lovely Mercedes ? When Her High- 
ness gave her royal approbation of my success, in the last 
tourney, did I not seek thine eye, in order to ask if thou 
notedst it ? Hast thou ever expressed a wish, that I have 
not proved an eager desire to see it accomplished?” 

“Nay, now, Luis, thou emboldenest me to remind thee 
that I expressed a wish that thou wouldst not go on thy 
last voyage to the north, and yet thou didst depart ! I felt 
that it would displease Dona Beatrix ; thy truant disposi- 
tion having made her uneasy lest thou shouidst get alto- 
gether into the habits of a rover, and into disfavor with 
the queen.” 

“ It was for this that thou madst the request, and it 
wounded my pride to think that Mercedes de Valverde 
should so little understand my character, as to believe it 
possible a noble of my name and lineage could so far for- 
get his duties as to sink into the mere associate of pilots 
and adventurers.” 

“Thou didst not know that I believed this of thee.” 

“ Hadst thou asked of me, Mercedes, to remain for thy 
sake — nay, hadst thou imposed the heaviest services on 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


63 


me, as thy knight, or as one who enjoyed the smallest de- 
gree of thy favor — I would have parted with life sooner 
than 1 would have parted from Castile. But not even a 
look of kindness could I obtain, in reward for all the pain 
I had felt on thy account — ” 

“ Fain, Luis ! ” 

“ Is it not pain to love to the degree that one might kiss 
the earth that received the foot-print of its object — and 
yet to meet with no encouragement from fair words, no 
friendly glance of the eye, nor any sign or symbol to be- 
token that the being one hath enshrined in his heart’s 
core, ever thinketh of her suitor except as a reckless rover 
and a hair-brained adventurer?” 

“ Luis de Bobadilla, no one that really knoweth thy 
character, can ever truly think thus of thee.” 

“A million of thanks for these few words, beloved girl, 
and ten millions for the gentle smile that hath accom- 
panied them ! Thou mightst mould me to all thy wishes 

“ My wishes, Don Luis ? ” 

“To alb thy severe opinions of sobriety and dignity of 
conduct, wouldst thou but feel sufficient interest in me to 
let me know that my acts can give thee either pain or 
pleasure.” 

“Can it be otherwise? Could’st thou, Luis, see with 
indifference the proceedings of one thou hast known from 
childhood, and esteemed as a friend ? ” 

“ Esteem ! Blessed Mercedes! dost thou own even that 
little in my favor ? ” 

“ It is not little, Luis, to esteem — but much. They who 
prize virtue never esteem the unworthy ; and it is not 
possible to know thy excellent heart and manly nature, 
without esteeming thee. Surely I have never concealed my 
esteein from thee or from any one else.” 

“ Hast thou concealed aught ? Ah ! Mercedes, complete 
this heavenly condescension, and admit that one — as lightly 
as thou wilt — but that one soft sentiment hath, at times, 
mingled with this esteem.” 

Mercedes blushed brightly, but she would not make the 
often-solicited acknowledgment. It was some little time 
before she answered at all. When she did speak, it was 
hesitatingly, and with frequent pauses, as if she distrusted 
the propriety or the discretion of that which she was about 
to utter. 

“Thou hast travelled much and far, Luis,” she said; 


6 4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ and hast lost some favor on account of thy roving pro- 
pensities ; why not regain the confidence of thy aunt by 
the very means through which it has been lost ! ” 

“ I do not comprehend thee. This is singular counsel 
to come from one like thee, who art prudence itself ! ” 

“The prudent and discreet think well of their acts® and 
words, and are the more to be confided in. Thou seemest 
to have been struck with these bold opinions of the Senor 
Colon ; and while thou hast derided them, I can see that 
they have great weight on thy mind.” 

“ I shall, henceforth, regard thee with tenfold respect, 
Mercedes ; for thou hast penetrated deeper than my fool- 
ish affectation of contempt, and all my light language, 
and discovered the real feeling that lieth underneath. 
Ever since I have heard of this vast project, it hath, in- 
deed, haunted my imagination ; and the image of the 
Genoese hath constantly stood beside thine, dearest girl, 
before my eyes, if not in my heart. I doubt if there be 
not some truth in his opinions ; so noble an idea cannot 
be wholly false ! ” 

The fine, full eye of Mercedes was fastened intently 
on the countenance of Don Luis ; and its brilliancy in- 
creased as some of that latent enthusiasm which dwelt 
within, kindled and began to glow at this outlet of the 
feelings of the soul. 

“There is” she answered, solemnly — “there must be 
truth in it ! The Genoese hath been inspired of Heaven, 
with his sublime thoughts, and he will live, sooner or 
later, to prove their truth. Imagine this earth fairly en- 
circled by a ship ; the farthest east, the land of the heathen, 
brought in close communion with ourselves, and the 
cross casting its shadows under the burning sun of 
Cathay ! These are glorious, heavenly anticipations, 
Luis, and would it not be an imperishable renown, to 
share in the honor of having aided in bringing about so 
great a discovery ? ” 

“By Heaven! I will see the Genoese as soon as the 
morrow’s sun shall appear, and offer to make one in his 
enterprise. He shall not need for gold, if that be his only 
want.” 

“Thou speakest like a generous, noble-minded, fearless 
young Castilian, as thou art ! ” said Mercedes, with an en- 
thusiasm that set at naught the usual guards of her discre- 
tion and her habits, “and as becometh Luis de Bobadilla. 
But gold is not plenty with any of us at this moment, and 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


65 


it will surpass the power of an ordinary subject to furnish 
that which will be necessary. Nor is it meet that any but 
sovereigns should send forth such an expedition, as there 
may be vast territories to govern and dispose of, should 
Colon succeed. My powerful kinsman — the Duke of 
Medina Celi — hath had this matter in close deliberation, 
and he viewed it favorably, as is shown by his letters to Her 
Highness ; but even he conceived it a matter too weighty 
to be attempted by aught but a crowned head, and he hath 
used much influence with our mistress, to gain her over to 
the opinion of the Genoese’s sagacity. It is idle to think, 
therefore, of aiding effectually in this noble enterprise, un- 
less it be through their Highnesses.” 

“ Thou k nowest, Mercedes, that I can do naught for 
Colon, with the court. The king is the enemy of all who 
are not as wary, cold, and as much given to artifice as 
himself ” 

“Luis ! thou art in his palace — beneath his roof, enjoy- 
ing his hospitality and protection, at this very moment ! ” 

“Not I,” answered the young man, with warmth — “this 
is the abode of my royal mistress, Dona Isabella ; Granada 
being a conquest of Castile, and not of Aragon. Touch- 
ing the queen, Mercedes, thou shalt never hear disrespect- 
ful word from me, for, like thyself, she is all that is virt- 
uous, gentle, and kind in woman ; but the king hath many 
of the faults of us corrupt and mercenary men. Thou 
canst not tell me of a young, generous, warm-blooded cav- 
alier, even among his own Aragonese, who truly and con- 
fidingly loveth Don Fernando ; whilst all of Castile adore 
the Dona Isabella.” 

“This may be true in part, Luis, but it is altogether im- 
prudent. Don Fernando is a king, and I fear me, from 
the little I have seen while dwelling in a court, that they 
who manage the affairs of mortals must make large con- 
cessions to their failings, or human depravity will thwart 
the wisest measures that can be devised. Moreover, can 
one truly love the wife and not esteem the husband? To 
me it seemeth that the tie is so near and dear as to leave 
the virtues and the characters of a common identity.” 

“ Surely, thou dost not mean to compare the modest 
piety, the holy truth, the sincere virtue, of our royal mis- 
tress, with the cautious, wily policy of our scheming mas- 
ter ! ” 

“ I desire not to make comparisons between them, Luis. 
We are bound to honor and obey both ; and if Dona Isa- 


66 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


bella hath more of the confiding truth and pure-hearted 
ness of her sex, than His Highness, is it not ever so as be- 
tween man and woman ? ” 

“ If I could really think that thou likenest me, in any 
way, with that managing and false-faced King of Aragon, 
much as I love thee, Mercedes, I would withdraw, forever, 
in pure shame ! ” 

“No one will liken thee, Luis, to the false-tongued or 
the double-faced ; for it is thy failing to speak truth when 
it might be better to say nothing, as witness the present 
discourse, and to look at those who displease thee, as if 
ever ready to point thy lance and spur thy charger in their 
very teeth.” 

“ My looks have been most unfortunate, fair Mercedes, if 
they have left such memories in thee ! ” answered the 
youth, reproachfully. 

“ I speak not in any manner touching myself, for to me, 
Luis, thou hast ever been gentle and kind,” interrupted the 
young Castilian girl, with a haste and earnestness that hur- 
ried the blood to her cheeks a moment afterward ; “ but 
solely that thou mayest be more guarded in thy remarks 
on the king.” 

“ Thou beganst by saying that I was a rover ” 

“Nay, I have used no such term of reproach, Don Luis; 
thy aunt may have said this, but it could have been with 
no intent to wound. I said that thou hadst travelled far 
and ?nuch." 

“Well — well — I merit the title, and shall not complain 
of the honors. Thou saidst that I had travelled far and 
much , and thou spokest approvingly of the project of this 
Genoese. Am I to understand, Mercedes, it is thy wish 
that I should make one of the adventurers ? ” 

“ Such was my meaning, Luis, for I have thought it an 
emprise fitting thy daring mind and willing sword ; and 
the glory of success would atone for a thousand trifling 
errors committed under the heat and inconsideration of 
youth.” 

Don Luis regarded the flushed cheek and brightened 
eyes of the beautiful enthusiast nearly a minute, in silent 
but intense observation ; for the tooth of doubt and jeal- 
ousy had fastened on him, and, with the self-distrust of 
true affection, he questioned how far he was worthy to 
interest so fair a being, and had misgivings concerning the 
motive that induced her to wish him to depart. 

“ I wish I could read thy heart, Dona Mercedes,” he at 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


67 


length resumed ; “ for, while the witching modesty and 
coy reserve of thy sex serve to bind us so much the closer 
in thy chains, they puzzle the understanding of men more 
accustomed to rude encounters in the field than to the 
mazes of their ingenuity. Dost thou desire me to embark 
in an adventure that most men, the wise and prudent Don 
Fernando at their head — he whom thou so much esteem- 
est, too — look upon as the project of a visionary, and as 
leading to certain destruction ? Did I think this, I would 
depart to-morrow, if it were only that my hated presence 
should never more disturb thy happiness.” 

“ Don Luis, you have no justification for this cruel sus- 
picion,” said Mercedes, endeavoring to punish her lover’s 
distrust by an affectation of resentment, though the te;;rs 
struggled through her pride, and fell from her reproach- 
ful eyes. “You know that no one, here or elsewhere, 
hateth you ; you know that you are a general favorite, 
though Castilian prudence and Castilian reserve may not 
always view your wandering life with the same applause as 
they give to the more attentive courtier and rigidly ob- 
servant knight.” 

“ Pardon me, dearest, most beloved Mercedes ; thy 
coldness and aversion sometime madden me.” 

“Coldness! aversion ! Luis de Bobadilla! When hath 
Mercedes de Val verde ever shown either, to thee?" 

“ I fear that Dona Mercedes de Valverde is, even now, 
putting me to some such proof.” 

“ Then thou little knowest her motives, and ill appre- 
ciatest her heart. No, Luis, I am not averse, and would 
not appear cold, to thee. If thy wayward feelings get 
so much the mastery, and pain thee thus, I will strive to 
be more plain. Yes ! rather than thou shouldst carry 
away with thee the false notion, and perhaps plunge, 
again, into some unthinking sea-adventure, I will subdue 
my maiden pride, and forget the reserve and caution that 
best become my sex and rank, to relieve thy mind. In 
advising thee to attach thyself to this Colon, and to enter 
freely into his noble schemes, I had thine own happiness 
in view, as thou hast, time and again, sworn to me, thy 
happiness could only be secured — ” 

“ Mercedes ! what meanest thou ? My happiness can 
only be secured by a union with thee !” 

“And thy union with me can only be secured by thy 
ennobling that besetting propensity to roving, by some act 
of worthy renown, that shall justify Dona Beatriz in be- 


68 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


stowing her ward on a truant nephew, and gain the favor 
of Dona Isabella.” 

“And thou ! — would this adventure win thee, too, to 
view me with kindness ? ” 

“ Luis, if thou wilt know all, I am won already — nay — 
restrain this impetuosity, and hear all I have to say. Even 
while I confess so much more than is seemly in a maiden, 
thou art not to suppose I can further forget myself. With- 
out the cheerful consent of my guardian, and the gracious 
approbation of Her Highness, I will wed no man— no, 
not even thee , Luis de Bobadilla, dear as I acknowledge 
thee to be to my heart ” — the ungovernable emotions of 
female tenderness caused the words to be nearly smoth- 
ered in tears — “would I wed, without the smiles and con- 
gratulations of all who have a right to smile, or weep, for 
any of the house of Valverde. Thou and I cannot marry 
like a village hind and village girl ; it is suitable that we 
stand before a prelate, with a large circle of approving 
friends to grace our union. Ah ! Luis, thou hast reproached 
me with coldness and indifference to thee” — sobs nearly 
stifled the generous girl — “but others have not been so 
blind — nay, speak not, but suffer me, now that my heart 
is overflowing, to unburden myself to thee, entirely, for 
I fear that shame and regret will come soon enough to 
cause repentance for what I now confess — but all have 
not been blind as thou. Our gracious queen well under- 
standeth the female heart, and that thou hast been so slow 
to discover, she hath long seen ; and her quickness of eye 
and thought hath alone prevented me from saying to thee, 
earlier, a part at least of that which I now reluctantly 
confess ” 

“ How ! Is Dona Isabella, too, my enemy ? Have I Her 
Highness’ scruples to overcome, as well as those of my 
cold-hearted and prudish aunt ?” 

“ Luis, thy intemperance causeth thee to be unjust. 
Dona Beatriz of Moya is neither cold-hearted nor prud- 
ish, but ail that is the reverse. A more generous or truer 
spirit never sacrificed self to friendship, and her very nat- 
ure is frankness and simplicity. Much of that I so love in 
thee, cometh of her family, and thou shouldst not reproach 
her for it. As for Her Highness, certes, it is not needed 
that I should proclaim her qualities. Thou knowest that 
she is deemed the mother of her people ; that she re- 
gardeth the interests of all equally, or so far as her knowl- 
edge will allow ; and that what she doth for any, is ever 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


69 


done with true affection, and a prudence that I have heard 
the cardinal say, seemeth to be inspired by infinite wisdom.” 

“ Ay, it is not difficult, Mercedes, to seem prudent, and 
benevolent, and inspired, with Castile for a throne, and 
Leon, with other rich provinces, for a footstool ! ” 

“Don Luis, if you would retain my esteem,” answered 
the single-minded girl, with a gravity that had none of her 
sex’s weakness in it, though much of her sex’s truth — 
“ speak not lightly of my royal mistress. Whatever she 
may have done in this matter, hath been done with a 
mother’s feelings and a mother’s kindness — thy injustice 
maketh me almost to apprehend, with a mother’s wisdom.” 

“ Forgive me, adored, beloved Mercedes ! a thousand 
times more adored and loved than ever, now that thou hast 
been so generous and confiding. But I cannot rest in 
peace until I know what the queen hath said and done, in 
anything that toucheth thee and me.” 

“Thou knowest how kind and gracious the queen hath 
ever been to me, Luis, and how much I have reason to be 
grateful for her many condescensions and favors. I know 
not how it is, but, while thy aunt hath never seemed to 
detect my feelings, and all those related to me by blood 
have appeared to be in the same darkness, the royal eye 
hath penetrated a mystery that, at the moment, I do think, 
was even concealed from myself. Thou rememberest the 
tourney that took place just before thou left us on thy last 
mad expedition?” 

“Do I not? Was it not thy coldness after my success 
in that tourney, and when I even wore thy favors, that 
not only drove me out of Spain, but almost drove me 
out ol the world ? ” 

“ If the world could impute thy acts to such a cause, 
all obstacles would at once be removed, and we might 
be happy without further efforts. But,” and Mercedes 
smiled, archly, though with great tenderness in her voice 
and looks, as she added, “ I fear thou art much addicted 
to these fits of madness, and that thou wilt never cease to 
wish to be driven to the uttermost limits of the world, if 
not fairly out of it.” 

“ It is in thy power to make me as stationary as the tow- 
ers of this Alhambra. One such smile, daily, would chain 
me like a captive Moor at thy feet, and take away all de- 
sire to look at other objects than thy beauty. But Her 
Highness— thou hast forgotten to add what Her Highness 
hath said and done.” 


7 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


“ In that tourney thou wert conqueror, Luis ! The whole 
chivalry of Castile was in the saddle, that glorious day, and 
yet none could cope with thee ! Even Alonzo de Ojede 
was unhorsed by thy lance, and all mouths were filled with 
thy praises ; all memories — perhaps, it would be better to 
say that all memories but one — forgot thy failings.” 

“ And that one was thine, cruel Mercedes.” 

“ Thou knowest better, unkind Luis ! That day I re- 
membered nothing but thy noble, generous heart, manly 
bearing in the tilt-yard, and excellent qualities. The more 
mindful memory was the queen's, who sent for me, to her 
closet, when the festivities were over, and caused me to 
pass an hour with her, in gentle, affectionate discourse, be- 
fore she touched at all on the real object of her command. 
She spoke to me, Luis, of our duties as Christians, of our 
duties as females, and, most of all, of the solemn obliga- 
tions that we contract in wedlock, and of the many pains 
that, at best, attend that honored condition. When she had 
melted me to tears, by an affection that equalled a mother’s 
love, she made me promise — and I confirmed it with a re- 
spectful vow — that I would never appear at the altar, while 
she lived, without her being present to approve of my nup- 
tials ; or, if prevented by disease or duty, at least not with- 
out a consent given under her royal signature.” 

“ By St. Denis of Paris ! Her Highness endeavored to 
influence thy generous and pure mind against me ! ” 

“Thy name was not even mentioned, Luis, nor would it 
have been in any way concerned in the discourse, had not 
my unbidden thoughts turned anxiously toward thee. 
What Her Highness meditated, I do not even now know, 
but it was the manner in which my own sensitive feelings 
brought up thy image, that hath made me, perhaps idly, 
fancy the effect might be to prevent me from wedding thee, 
without Dona Isabella’s consent. But, knowing, as I well 
do, her maternal heart and gentle affections, how can I 
doubt that she will yield to my wishes, when she knoweth 
that my choice is not really unworthy, though it may 
seem to the severely prudent in some measure indis- 
creet.” 

“ But thou thinkest — thou feelest, Mercedes, that it was 
in fear of me that Her Highness extorted the vow ?” 

“ I apprehended it, as I have confessed, with more readi- 
ness than became a maiden’s pride, because thou wert up- 
permost in my mind. Then thy triumphs throughout the 
day, and the manner in which thy name was in all men’s 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


71 


mouths, might well tempt the thoughts to dwell on thy 
person.” 

“ Mercedes, thou canst not deny that thou believest Her 
Highness extorted that vow in dread of me ? ” 

“ I wish to deny nothing that is true, Don Luis ; and you 
are early teaching me to repent of the indiscreet avowal I 
have made. That it was in dread of you that Her Highness 
spoke, I do deny ; ,for I cannot think she has any such 
feelings toward you. She was full of maternal affection 
for me, and I think, for I will conceal naught that I truly 
believe, that apprehension of thy powers to please, Luis, 
may have induced her to apprehend that an orphan girl, 
like myself, might possibly consult her fancy more than 
her prudence, and wed one who seemed to love the utter- 
most limits of the earth so much better than his own noble 
castles and his proper home.” 

“And thou meanest to respect this vow ! ” 

“ Luis ! thou scarce reflectest on thy words, or a question 
so sinful would not be put to me ! What Christian maiden 
ever forgets her vows, whether of pilgrimage, penitence, 
or performance — and why should I be the first to incur 
this disgraceful guilt ? Besides, had I not vowed, the 
simple wish of the queen, expressed in her own royal per- 
son, would have been enough to deter me from wedding 
any. She is my sovereign, mistress, and, I might almost 
say, mother ; Dona Beatriz herself scarce manifesting 
greater interest in my welfare. Now, Luis, thou must 
listen to my suit, although I see thou art ready to exclaim, 
and protest, and invoke ; but I have heard thee patiently 
some years, and it is now my turn to speak and thine to 
listen. I do not think the queen had thee in her mind on 
the occasion of that vow, which was offered freely by me, 
rather than extorted , as thou seemest to think, by Her 
Highness. I do, then, believe that Dona Isabella supposed 
there might be a danger of my yielding to thy suit, and 
that she had apprehensions that one so much given to 
roving, might not bring, or keep, happiness in the bosom 
of a family. But Luis, if Her Highness hath not done thy 
noble, generous heart, justice ; if she hath been deceived 
bv appearances, like most of those around her; if she hath 
not known thee, in short, is it not thine own fault ? Hast 
thou not been a frequent truant from Castile ; and, even 
when present, hast thou been as attentive and assiduous in 
thy duties at court, as becometh thy high birth and ad- 
mitted claims ? It is true, Her Highness, and all others 


72 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


who were present, witnessed thy skill in the tourney, and 
in these wars thy name hath had frequent and honorable 
mention for prowess against the Moor ; but while the 
female imagination yields ready homage to this manliness, 
the female heart yearneth for other, and gentler, and 
steadier virtues, at the fireside and in the circle within. 
This, Dona Isabella hath seen, and felt, and knoweth, 
happy as hath been her own marriage with the King of 
Aragon ; and is it surprising that she hath felt this concern 
for me? No, Luis ; feeling hath made thee unjust to our 
royal mistress, whom it is now manifestly thy interest to 
propitiate, if thou art sincere in thy avowed desire to 
obtain my hand.” 

“ And how is this to be done, Mercedes ? The Moor is 
conquered, and I know not that any knight would meet 
me to do battle for thy favor.” 

“ The queen wisheth nothing of this sort — neither do I. 
We both know thee as an accomplished Christian knight 
already, and, as thou hast just said, there is no one to meet 
thy lance, for no one hath met with the encouragement to 
justify the folly. It is through this Colon that thou art to 
win the royal consent.” 

“ I believe I have, in part, conceived thy meaning ; but 
would fain hear thee speak more plainly.” 

“ Then I will tell thee in words as distinct as my tongue 
can utter them,” rejoined the ardent girl, the tint of ten- 
derness gradually deepening on her cheek to the flush of 
a holy enthusiasm, as she proceeded : “ Thou knowest al- 
ready the general opinions of the Sefior Colon, and the 
mode in which he proposetli to effect his ends. I was 
still a child when he first appeared in Castile, to urge the 
court to embark in this great enterprise, and I can see that 
Her Highness hath often been disposed to yield her aid, 
when the coldness of Don Fernando, or the narrowness of 
her ministers, hath diverted her mind from the object. I 
think she yet regardeth the scheme with favor ; for it is 
quite lately that Colon, who had taken leave of us all, with 
the intent to quit Spain and seek elsewhere for means, was 
summoned to return, through the influence of Fray Juan 
Perez, the ancient confessor of Her Highness. He is now 
here, as thou hast seen, waiting impatiently for an audi- 
ence, and it needeth only to quicken the queen’s memory, 
to obtain for him that favor. Should he get the caravels 
he asketh, no doubt many of the nobles will feel a desire 
to share in an enterprise that will confer lasting honor 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


73 


on all concerned, if successful ; and thou mightst make 
one.” 

“ I know not how to regard this solicitude, Mercedes, for 
it seemeth strange to wish to urge those we affect to value, 
to enter on an expedition whence they may never return.” 

“ God will protect thee ! ” answered the girl, her face 
glowing with pious ardor : “the enterprise will be under- 
taken for his glory, and his powerful hand will guide and 
shield the caravels.” 

Don Luis de Bobadilla smiled, having far less religious 
faith and more knowledge of physical obstacles than his 
mistress. He did full justice to her motives, notwith- 
standing his hastily expressed doubts ; and the adventure 
w’as of a nature to arouse his constitutional love of roving, 
and his desire for encountering dangers. Both he and 
Mercedes well knew that he had fairly earned no small 
part of that distrust of his character, which alone thwarted 
their wishes ; and, quick of intellect, he well understood 
the means and manner by which he was to gain Dona Isa- 
bella’s consent. The few doubts that he really enter- 
tained were revealed by the question that succeeded. 

“ If Her Highness is disposed to favor this Colon,” he 
asked, “ why hath the measure been so long delayed ?” 

“This Moorish war, an empty treasury, and the wary 
coldness of the king, have prevented it.” 

“Might not Her Highness look upon all the followers of 
the man, as so many vain schemers, should we return with- 
out success, as will most likely be the case — if, indeed, we 
ever return ? ” 

“ Such is not Dona Isabella’s character. She will enter 
into this project, in honor of God, if she entereth into it at 
all ; and she will regard all who accompany Colon volun- 
tarily, as so many crusaders, well entitled to her esteem. 
Thou wilt not return unsuccessful, Luis ; but with such 
credit as will cause thy wife to glory in her choice, and to 
be proud of thy name.” 

“ Thou art a most dear enthusiast, beloved girl! If I 
could take thee with me, I w'ould embark in the adventure 
with no other companion.” 

A fitting reply was made to this gallant, and, at the 
moment, certainly sincere speech, after which the matter 
was discussed between the two, with greater calmness and 
far more intelligibly. Don Luis succeeded in restraining 
his impatience ; and the generous confidence with which 
Mercedes gradually got to betray her interest in him, and 


?4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


the sweet, holy earnestness with which she urged the prob* 
ability of success, ‘brought him at length to view the enter- 
prise as one of lofty objects, rather than as a scheme 
which flattered his love of adventure. 

Dona Beatriz left the lovers alone for quite two hours, 
the queen requiring her presence all that time ; and soon 
after she returned, her reckless, roving, indiscreet, but 
noble-hearted and manly nephew, took his leave. Mer- 
cedes and her guardian, however, did not retire until mid- 
night ; the former laying open her whole heart to the 
marchioness, and explaining all her hopes as they were 
connected with the enterprise of Colon. Dona Beatriz 
was both gratified and pained by this confession, while she 
smiled at the ingenuity of love, in coupling the great de- 
signs of the Genoese with the gratification of its own 
wishes. Still she was not displeased. Luis de Bobadilla 
was the son of an only and much-beloved brother, and she 
had transferred to her nephew most of the affection she 
had felt for the father. All who knew him, indeed, were 
fond of the handsome and gallant young cavalier, though the 
prudent felt compelled to frown on his indiscretions ; and 
he might have chosen a wife, at will, from the fair and 
high-born of Castile, with the few occasional exceptions 
that denote the circumspection and reserve of higher prin- 
ciples than common, and a forethought that extends be- 
yond the usual considerations of marriage. The mar- 
chioness, therefore, was not an unwilling listener to her 
ward ; and ere they separated for the' night, the ingenuous 
but modest confessions, the earnest eloquence, and the 
tender ingenuity, of Mercedes, had almost made a convert 
of Dona Beatriz. 


CHAPTER VI. 

“ Looke back, who list, unto the former ages. 

And call to count, what is of them become — 

Where be those learned wits and antique sages, 

Which of all wisdom knew the perfect somme ? 

Where those great warriors which did overcome 
c The world with conquest of their might and maine, 

And made one meare of th’ earth and of their raigne. ” 

— Ruins of Time. 

Two or three days had passed before the Christians 
began to feel at home in the ancient seat of Mohammedan 
power. By that time, however, the Alhambra and the 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


75 


town got to be more regulated than they were during the 
hurry, delight, and grief, of taking possession and depart- 
ing ; and as the politic and far from ill-disposed Ferdinand 
had issued strict orders that the Moors should not only be 
treated with kindness, but with delicacy, the place gradu- 
ally settled down into tranquillity, and men began to fall 
into their ancient habits and to interest themselves in their 
customary pursuits. 

Don Fernando was much occupied with new cares, as a 
matter of course ; but his illustrious consort, who reserved 
herself for great occasions, exercising her ordinary powers 
in the quiet, gentle manner that became her sex and native 
disposition, her truth and piety, had already withdrawn, as 
far as her high rank and substantial authority would allow, 
from the pageantry and martial scenes of a warlike court, 
and was seeking, with her wonted readiness, the haunts of 
private affection, and that intercourse which is most con- 
genial to the softer affections of a woman. Her surviving 
children were with her, and they occupied much of her 
maternal care ; but she had also many hours for friend- 
ship, and for the indulgence of an affection that appeared 
to include all her subjects within the ties of family. 

On the morning of the third day that succeeded the 
evening of the interview related in the preceding chapter, 
Doha Isabella had collected about her person a few of those 
privileged individuals who might be said to have the entree 
to her more private hours ; for while that of Castile was 
renowned among Christian courts for etiquette, habits that 
it had probably derived from the stately oriental usages of 
its Mohammedan neighbors, the affectionate nature of the 
queen had cast a halo around her own private circle, that 
at once rendered it graceful as well as delightful to all who 
enjoyed the high honor of entering it. At that day, church- 
men enjoyed a species of exclusive favor, mingling with all 
the concerns of life, and not unfrequently controlling them. 
While we are quick to detect blemishes of this sort among 
foreign nations, and are particularly prone to point out 
the evils that have flowed from the meddling of the Romish 
divines, we verify the truth of the venerable axiom that 
teaches us how much easier it is to see the faults of others 
than to discover our own ; for no people afford stronger 
evidences of the existence of this control, than the people 
of the United States, more especially that portion of them 
who dwell in places that were originally settled by relig- 
ionists, and which still continue under the influence of the 


7 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


particular sects that first prevailed ; and perhaps the strong- 
est national trait that exists among us at this moment — 
that of a disposition to extend the control of society be- 
yond the limits set by the institutions and the laws, under 
the taking and plausible appellation of Public Opinion — 
has its origin in the polity of churches of a democratic char- 
acter, that have aspired to be an imperium in imperio , con- 
firmed and strengthened by their modes of government 
and by provincial habits. Be the fact as it may among 
ourselves, there is no question of the ascendency of the 
Catholic priesthood throughout Christendom, previously 
to the Reformation ; and Isabella was too sincerely devout, 
too unostentatiously pious, not to allow them every indul- 
gence that comported with her own sense of right, and 
among others, that of a free access to her presence, and an 
influence on all her measures. 

On the occasion just named, among others who were 
present was Fernando de Taiavera, a prelate of high sta- 
tion, who had just been named to the new dignity of Arch- 
bishop of Granada, and the Fray Pedro de Carrascal, the 
former teacher of Luis de Bobadilla, an unbeneficed divine, 
who owed his favor to great simplicity of character, aided 
by his high birth. Isabella, herself, was seated at a little 
table, where she was employed with her needle, the sub- 
ject of her toil being a task as homely as a shirt for the 
king, it being a part of her womanly propensities to acquit 
herself of this humble duty, as scrupulously as if she had 
been the wife of a common tradesman of her own capital. 
This was one of the habits of the age, however, if not a part 
of the policy of princes ; for most travellers have seen the 
celebrated saddle of the Queen of Burgundy, with a place 
arranged for the distaff, that, when its owner rode forth, 
she might set an example of thrift to her admiring sub- 
jects ; and with our own eyes, in these luxurious times, 

# when few private ladies even condescend to touch any- 
thing as useful as the garment that occupied the needle of 
Isabella of Castile, we have seen a queen, seated amid her 
royal daughters, as diligently employed with the needle as 
if her livelihood depended on her industry. But Dona 
Isabella had no affectations. In feelings, speech, nature, 
and acts, she was truth itself ; and matrimonial tenderness 
gave her a deeply-felt pleasure in thus being occupied for 
a husband whom she tenderly loved as a man, while it was 
impossible she could entirely conceal from herself all his 
faults as a monarch. Near her sat the companion of her 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


77 


girlish days, the long-tried and devoted Beatriz de Cabrera. 
Mercedes occupied a stool, at the feet of the Infanta Isa- 
bella, while one or two other ladies of the household were 
placed at hand, with such slight distinctions of rank as de- 
noted the presence of royalty, but with a domestic freedom 
that made these observances graceful without rendering 
them fatiguing. The king himself was writing at a table, 
in a distant corner of the vast apartment ; and no one, the 
newly-created archbishop not excepted, presumed to ap- 
proach that side of the room. The discourse was conduct- 
ed in a tone a little lower than common ; even the queen, 
whose voice was always melody, modulating its tones in a 
way not to interfere with the train of thought into which 
her illustrious consort appeared to be profoundly plunged. 
But, at the precise moment that we now desire to present 
to the reader, Isabella had been deeply lost in reflection 
for some time, and a general silence prevailed in the female 
circle around the little work-tables. 

“ Daughter-Marchioness” — for so the queen usually ad- 
dressed her friend — “ Daughter-Marchioness,” said Isa- 
bella, arousing herself from the long silence, “ hath aught 
been seen or heard of late of the Senor Colon, the pilot 
who hath so long urged us on the subject of this western 
voyage ? ” 

The quick, hurried glance of intelligence and gratifica- 
tion that passed between Mercedes and her guardian, 
betrayed the interest they felt in this question, while the 
latter answered, as became her duty and her respect for 
her mistress — 

“You remember, Senora, that he was written for, by 
Fray Juan Perez, Your Highness’ ancient confessor, who 
journeyed all the way from his convent of Santa Maria de 
Rabida, in Andalusia, to intercede in his behalf, that his 
great designs might not be lost to Castile.” 

“ Thou thinkest his designs, then, great, Daughter-Mar- 
chioness ? ” 

“ Can any think them otherwise, Senora ? They seem 
reasonable and natural, and if just, is it not a great and 
laudable undertaking to extend the bounds of the church, 
and to confer honor and wealth on one’s own country? 
My enthusiastic ward, Mercedes de Valverde, is so zealous 
in behalf of this navigator’s great project, that, next to her 
duty to her God, and her duty to her sovereigns, it seem- 
eth to make the great concern of her life.” 

The queen turned a smiling face toward the blushing 


78 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


girl who was the subject of this remark, and she gazed at 
her, for an instant, with the expression of affection that 
was so wont to illuminate her lovely countenance when 
dwelling on the features of her own daughters. 

“ Dost thou acknowledge this, Dona Mercedes ? ” she 
said ; “ hath Colon so convinced thee, that thou art thus 
zealous in his behalf ? ” 

Mercedes arose, respectfully, when addressed by the 
queen, and she advanced a step or two nearer to the royal 
person before she made any reply. 

“ It becometh me to speak modestly in this presence/’ 
said the beautiful girl ; “ but I shall not deny that I feel 
deep concern for the success of the Senor Colon. The 
thought is so noble, Senora, that it were a pity it should 
not be just.” 

“ This is the reasoning of the young and generous- 
minded ; and I confess myself, Beatrice, almost as childish 
as any, on this matter, at times — Colon, out of question, 
is still here ? ” 

“ Indeed he is, Sefiora,” answered Mercedes, eagerly, 
and with a haste she immediately repented, for the inquiry 
was not made directly to herself ; “ I know of one who 
hath seen him as lately as the day the troops took posses- 
sion of the town.” 

“Who is that person ? ” asked the queen, steadily, but 
not severely, her eye having turned again to the face of 
the girl, with an interest that continued to increase as she 
gazed. 

Mercedes now bitterly regretted her indiscretion, and, 
in spite of a mighty effort to repress her feelings, the tell- 
tale blood mounted to her temples, ere she could find reso- 
lution to reply. 

“ Don Luis de Bobadilla, Senora, the nephew of my 
guardian, Dona Beatriz,” she at length answered ; for the 
love of truth was stronger in this pure-minded young 
creature, even, than the dread of shame. 

“ Thou art particular, Senorita,” Isabella observed 
calmly, severity seldom entering into her communication 
with the just-minded and good ; “ Don Luis cometh of too 
illustrious a house to need a herald to proclaim his alli- 
ances. It is only the obscure that the world doth not 
trouble itself about. Daughter-Marchioness,” relieving 
Mercedes from a state scarcely less painful than the rack, 
by turning her eyes toward her friend, “ this nephew of 
thine is a confirmed rover — but I doubt if he could be 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


79 


prevailed on to undertake an expedition like this of 
Colon’s that hath in view the glory of God and the benefit 
of the realm.” 

u Indeed, Sefiora ” — Mercedes repressed her zeal by a 
sudden and triumphant effort. 

“ Thou wert about to speak, Dona Mercedes,” gravely 
observed the queen. 

“ I crave Your Highness’ forgiveness. It was improperly, 
as your own words were not addressed to me.” 

“This is not the court of the Queen of Castile, daughter, 
but the private room of Isabella de Trastamara,” said the 
queen, willing to lessen the effect of what had already 
passed. “ Thou hast the blood of the Admiral of Castile in 
thy veins, and art even akin to our Lord the King. Speak 
freely, then.” 

“ I know your gracious goodness to me, Sefiora, and had 
nearly forgotten myself, under its inguence. All I had to 
say was, that Don Luis de Bobadilla desireth exceedingly 
that the Sefior Colon might get the caravels he seeketh, 
and that he himself might obtain the royal permission to 
make one among the adventurers.” 

“ Can this be so, Beatrix ? ” 

“ Luis is a truant, Sefiora, beyond a question, but it is 
not with ignoble motives. I have heard him ardently ex- 
press his desire to be one of Colon’s followers, should 
that person be sent by Your Highness in search of the land 
of Cathay.” 

Isabella made no reply, but she laid her homely work in 
her lap, and sat musing, in pensive silence, for several 
minutes. During this interval, none near her presumed to 
speak, and Mercedes retired, stealthily to her stool, at the 
feet of the Infanta. At length the queen arose, and, cross- 
ing the room, she approached the table where Don Fer- 
nando was still busily engaged with the pen. Here she 
paused a moment, as if unwilling to disturb him ; but soon, 
laying a hand kindly on his shoulder, she drew his atten- 
tion to herself. The king, as if conscious whence such 
familiarity could alone proceed, looked around immediately, 
and, rising from his chair, he was the first to speak. 

“ These Moriscoes need looking to,” he said, betraying 
the direction that his thoughts had so early taken toward 
the increase of his power — “ I find we have left Abdallah 
many strongholds in the Apulxarras, that may make him a 
troublesome neighbor, unless we can push him across the 
Mediterranean ” 


So 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Of this, Fernando, we will converse on some other op- 
portunity,” interrupted the queen, whose pure mind dis- 
liked everything that even had an approach to a breach of 
faith. “ It is hard enough for those who control the af- 
fairs of men, always to obey God and their own con- 
sciences, without seeking occasions to violate their faith. 
I have come to thee, on another matter. The hurry of 
the times, and the magnitude of our affairs, have caused 
us to overlook the promise given to Colon, the navi- 
gator ” 

“ Still busied with thy needle, Isabella, and for my com- 
fort,” observed the king, playing with the shirt that his 
royal consort had unconsciously brought in her hand ; 
“ few subjects have wives as considerate and kind as 
thou ! ” 

“Thy comfort and happiness stand next to my duty to 
God and the care o^my people,” returned Isabella, grati- 
fied at the notice the King of Aragon had taken of this 
little homage of her sex, even while she suspected that it 
came from a wish to parry the subject that was then upper- 
most in her thoughts. “ I would do naught in this impor- 
tant concern, without thy fullest approbation, if that may 
be had ; and I think it toucheth our royal words to delay 
no longer. Seven years are a most cruel probation, and, 
unless we are active, we shall have some of the hot-blooded 
young nobles of the kingdom undertaking the matter, as 
their holiday sports.” 

“ Thou say’st true, Sefiora, and we will refer the subject 
at once, to Fernando de Talavera, yonder, who is of ap- 
proved discretion, and one to be relied on.” As the king 
spoke, he beckoned to the individual named, who im- 
mediately approached the royal pair. “ Archbishop of 
Granada,” continued the wily king, who had as many 
politic arts as a modern patriot intently bent on his own 
advancement — “ Archbishop of Granada, our royal consort 
hatha desire that this affair of Colon should be immediately 
inquired into, and reported on to ourselves. It is our 
joint command that you, and others, take the matter, be- 
fore the next* twenty-four hours shall pass, into mature 
consideration and inquiry, and that you lay the result be- 
fore ourselves. The names of your associates shall be 
given to you in the course of the day.” 

While the tongue of Ferdinand was thus instructing the 
prelate, the latter read in the expression of the monarch’s 
eye and in the coldness of his countenance, a meaning 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Si 


that his quick and practised wits were not slow in inter- 
preting. He signified his dutiful assent, however ; received 
the names of his associates in the commission, of whom 
Isabella pointed out one or two, and then waited to join in 
the discourse. 

“ This project of Colon’s is worthy of being more seriously 
inquired into,” resumed the king, when these preliminaries 
were settled, “ and it shall be our care to see that he hath 
all consideration. They tell me the honest navigator is a 
good Christian.” 

“ I think him devotedly so, Don Fernando. He hath a 
purpose, should God prosper his present undertaking, to 
join in a new effort to regain the holy sepulchre.” 

“ Umph ! Such designs may be meritorious, but ours is 
the true way to advance the faith — this conquest of our 
own. We have raised the cross, my wife, where the en- 
signs of infidelity were lately seen, and Granada is so near 
Castile that it will not be difficult to maintain our altars. 
Such, at least, are the opinions of a layman — holy prelate 
— on these matters.” 

“And most just and wise opinions are they, Sefior,” re- 
turned the archbishop. “ That which can be retained, it 
is wisest to seek, for we lose our labors in gaining things 
that Providence hath placed so far beyond our control, 
that they do not seem designed for our purposes.” 

“There are those, my Lord Archbishop,” observed the 
queen, “who might argue against all attempts to recover 
the holy sepulchre, hearing opinions like these, from so 
high authority ! ” 

“Then, Senora, they would misconceive that authority,” 
the politic prelate hurriedly replied. “ It is well for all 
Christendom, to drive the Infidels from the Holy Land ; 
but for Castile it is better to dispossess them of Granada. 
The distinction is a very plain one, as every sound casuist 
must admit.” 

“This truth is as evident to our reason,” added Ferdi- 
nand, casting a look of calm exultation out at a window, 
“ as that yonder towers were once Abdallah’s, and that they 
are now our own ! ” 

“ Better for Castile ! ” repeated Isabella, in the tones of 
one who mused. “ For her worldly power better, perhaps, 
but not better for the souls of those who achieve the deed 
— surely, not better for the glory of God ! ” 

“ My much-honored wife, and beloved consort ” — said 
the king. 

6 


82 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Sefiora ” — added the prelate. 

But Isabella walked slowly away, pondering on prim 
ciples, while the eyes of the two worldlings she left behind 
her, met, with the sort of free-masonry that is in much re- 
quest among those who are too apt to substitute the expe.- 
dient for the right. The queen did not return to her seat, 
but she walked up and down that part of the room which 
the archbishop had left vacant when he approached her- 
self and her husband. Here she remained alone for several 
minutes, even Ferdinand holding her in too much rever- 
ence to presume to disturb her meditations, uninvited. 
The queen several times cast glances at Mercedes, and, at 
length, she commanded her to draw near. 

“ Daughter,” said Isabella, who frequently addressed 
those she loved by this endearing term, “thou hast not for- 
gotten thy freely-offered vow ? ” 

“Next to my duty to God, Senora, I most consider my 
duty to my sovereign.” 

Mercedes spoke firmly, and in those tones that seldom 
deceive. Isabella riveted her eyes on the pale features of 
the beautiful girl, and when the words just quoted were 
uttered, a tender mother could not have regarded a beloved 
child with stronger proofs of affection. 

“ Thy duty to God overshadoweth all other feelings, 
daughter, as is just,” answered the queen; “thy duty to 
me is secondary and inferior. Still, thou and ail others, 
owe a solemn duty to your sovereign, and I should be un- 
fit for the high trust that I have received from Providence, 
did I permit any of these obligations to lessen. It is not 
I that reign in Castile, but Providence, through its humble 
and unworthy instrument. My people are my children, 
and I often pray that I may have heart enough to hold 
.them all. If princes are sometimes obliged to frown on 
the unworthy, it is but in humble and distant imitation of 
that Power which cannot smile on evil.” 

“ I hope, Senora,” said the girl, timidly, observing that 
the queen paused, “ I have not been so unfortunate as to 
displease you ; a frown from Your Highness would indeed 
be a calamity ! ” 

“Thou ? No, daughter ; I would that all the maidens 
of Castile, noble and simple, were of thy truth, and modesty, 
and obedience. But we cannot permit thee to become the 
victim of the senses. Thou art too well taught, Dona 
Mercedes, not to distinguish between that which is brill- 
iant and that which is truly virtuous ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


«3 


“ Sefiora ! ” cried Mercedes, eagerly — then checking her- 
self, immediately, for she felt it was a disrespect to inter- 
rupt her sovereign. 

‘ I listen to what thou would’st say, daughter,” Isabella 
answered, after pausing for the frightened girl to continue. 
“ Speak freely ; thou addressest a parent.” 

“ I was about to say, Sehora, that if all that is brilliant 
is not virtuous, neither is all that is unpleasant to the 
sight, or what prudence might condemn, actually vicious.” 

“I understand thee, Senorita, and the remark hath truth 
in it. Now let us speak of other things. Thou appearest 
to be friendly to the designs of this navigator, Colon ? ” 

“The opinion of one untaught and youthful as I, can 
have little weight with the Queen of Castile, who can ask 
counsel of prelates and learned churchmen, besides con- 
sulting her own wisdom ;” Mercedes modestly answered. 

“ But thou thinkest well of his project ; or have I mis- 
taken thy meaning ? ” 

“ No, Sehora, I do think well of Colon’s scheme ; for to 
me it seemeth of that nobleness and grandeur that Provi- 
dence would favor, for the good of man and the advance- 
ment of the church.” 

“And thou believest that nobles and cavaliers can be 
found willing to embark with this obscure Genoese, in his 
bold undertaking?” 

The queen felt the hand that she affectionately held in 
both her own, tremble, and when she looked at her com- 
panion she perceived that her face was crimsoned and her 
eyes lowered. But the generous girl thought the moment 
critical for the fortunes of her lover, and she rallied all her 
energies in order to serve his interests. 

“ Sefiora, I do,” she answered, with a steadiness that 
both surprised and pleased the queen, who entered into 
and appreciated all her feelings ; “ I think Don Luis de 
Bobadilla will embark with him ; since his aunt hath con- 
versed freely with him on the nature and magnitude of the 
enterprise, his mind dwelleth on little else. He would be 
willing to furnish gold for the occasion, could his guardians 
be made to consent.” 

“ Which any guardian would be very wrong to do. We 
mav deal freely with our own, but it is forbidden to jeop- 
ard the goods of another. If Don Luis de Bobadilla per- 
severe in this intention, and act up to his professions, I 
shall think more favorably of his character than circum- 
stances have hitherto led me to do.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Senora ! ” 

“ Hear me, daughter ; we cannot now converse longet 
on this point, the council waiting my presence, and the 
king having already left us. Thy guardian and I will con- 
fer together, and thou shalt not be kept in undue sus- 
pense ; but Mercedes de Valve rde ” 

“ My lady the Queen ” 

“ Remember thy vow, daughter. It was freely given, 
and must not be hastily forgotten.” 

Isabella now kissed the pale cheek of the girl and with- 
drew, followed by all the ladies ; leaving the half-pleased 
and yet half-terrified Mercedes standing in the centre of 
the vast apartment, resembling a beautiful statue of 
Doubt. 


CHAPTER VII. 

“ He that of such a height hath built his mind, 

And i eared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong 
As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame 
Of his resolved powers.” — Daniel. 

The following day the Alhambra was crowded with 
courtiers as usual ; applicants for favors, those who sought 
their own, and those who solicited the redress of imagin- 
ary wrongs. The antechambers were thronged, and the 
different individuals in waiting jealously eyed each other, 
as if to inquire how far their neighbors would be likely to 
thwart their several views or to advance their wishes. 
Men bowed, in general, coldly and with distrust ; and the 
few that did directly pass their greetings, met with the 
elaborated civility that commonly characterizes the inter- 
course of palaces. 

While curiosity was active in guessing at the business of 
the different individuals present, and whispers, nods, 
shrugs of the shoulders, and meaning glances, passed 
among the old stagers, as they communicated to each 
other the little they knew, or thought they knew, on dif- 
ferent subjects, there stood in the corner of the principal 
apartment, one in particular, who might be distinguished 
from all around him, by his stature, the gravity and dignity 
of his air, and the peculiar sort of notice that he attracted. 
Few approached him, and they that did, as they turned 
their backs, cast those glances of self-sufficiency and ridi- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


85 


cule about them, that characterize the vulgar-minded when 
they fancy that they are deriding or sneering in conso- 
nance with popular opinion. This was Columbus, who 
was very generally regarded by the multitude as a vision- 
ary schemer, and who necessarily shared in that sort of 
contemptuous obloquy that attaches itself to the character. 
But even the wit and jokes of the crowd had been expended 
upon this subject, and the patience of those who danced 
attendance was getting to be exhausted, when a little stir 
at the door announced the approach of some new courtier. 
The manner in which the throng quickly gave way, de- 
noted the presence of some one of high rank, and pres- 
ently Don Luis de Bobadilla stood in the centre of the 
room. 

“ It is the nephew of her highness’ favorite,” whispered 
one. 

“ A noble of one of the most illustrious families of Cas- 
tile,” said another ; “but a fitting associate of this Colon, 
as neither the authority of his guardians, the wishes of the 
queen, nor his high station, can keep him from the life of 
a vagabond.” 

“ One of the best lances in Spain, if he had the prudence 
and wisdom to turn his skill to profit,” observed a third. 

“ That is the youthful knight who hath so well deported 
himself in this last campaign,” growled an inferior officer 
of the infantry, “ and who unhorsed Don Alonso de Ojeda 
in the tourney ; but his lance is as unsteady in its aim as 
it is good in the rest. They tell me he is a rover.” 

As if purposely to justify this character, Luis looked 
about him anxiously a moment, and then made his way 
directly to the side of Colon. The smiles, nods, shrugs, 
and half-suppressed whispers that followed betrayed the 
common feeling ; but a door on the side of the closet 
opening, all eyes were immediately bent in that direction, 
and the little interruption just mentioned was as soon for- 
gotten. 

“ I greet you, sefior,” said Luis, bowing respectfully to 
Columbus. “Since our discourse of last evening I have 
thought of little besides its subject, and have come hither 
to renew it.” 

That Columbus was pleased by this homage appeared 
in his eye, his smile, and the manner in which he raised 
his body, as if full of the grandeur of his own designs ; but 
he was compelled to defer the pleasure that it always gave 
him to dilate on his enterprise. 


86 


MERCEDES OF CAS7YLE. 


“ I am commanded hither, noble Senor,” he answered, 
cordially, “by the holy Archbishop of Granada, who, it 
seemeth, hath it in charge from their highnesses to bring 
my affair to a speedy issue, and who hath named this very 
morning for that purpose. We touch upon the verge of 
great events ; the day is not distant when this conquest of 
Granada will be forgotten in the greater importance of 
the mighty things that God hath held in reserve ! ” 

“ By San Pedro, my new patron ! I do believe you, 
Senor. Cathay must lie at or near the spot you have 
named, and your own eyes shall not see it, and its gorgeous 
stories of wealth, sooner than mine. Remember Pedro de 
Munos, I pray you, Senor Colon.” 

“ He shall not be forgotten, I promise you, young lord ; 
and all the great deeds of your ancestors will be eclipsed 
by the glory achieved by their son. But I hear my name 
called ; we will talk of this anon.” 

“ El Senor Christoval Colon ! ” was called by one of the 
pages, in a loud authoritative voice, and the navigator 
hurried forward, buoyed up with hope and joy. 

The manner in which one so generally regarded with in- 
difference, if not with contempt, had been selected from 
all that crowd of courtiers excited some surprise ; but as 
the ordinary business of the antechamber went on, and 
the subordinates of office soon appeared in the rooms to 
hear solicitations and answer questions, the affair was 
quickly forgotten. Luis withdrew disappointed, for he 
had hoped to enjoy another long discourse with Columbus 
on a subject which, as it was connected with his dearest 
hopes, now occupied most of his thoughts. We shall 
leave him, however, and all in the antechambers, to follow 
the great navigator further into the depths of the palace. 

Fernando de Talavera had not been unmindful of his 
orders. Instead, however, of associating with this prelate 
men known to be well disposed to listen to the proposi- 
tions of Columbus, the king and queen had made the mis- 
take of choosing some six or eight of their courtiers, 
persons of probity and of good general characters, but who 
were too little accustomed to learned research properly to 
appreciate the magnitude of the proposed discoveries. 
Into the presence of these distinguished nobles and church- 
men was Columbus now ushered, and among them is the 
reader to suppose him seated. We pass over the custom- 
ary ceremonies of the introduction, and proceed at once 
to the material part of the narrative. The Archbishop of 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 87 

Granada was the principal speaker on the part of the com- 
missioners. 

“We understand, Senor Colon,” continued the prelate, 
“ should you be favored by their Highnesses’ power and 
authority, that you propose to undertake a voyage into 
the unknown Atlantic, in quest of the land of Cathay and 
the celebrated island of Cipango ?” 

“That is my design, holy and illustrious prelate. The 
matter hath been so often up between the agents of the 
two sovereigns and myself that there is little occasion to 
enlarge on my views.” 

“These were fully discussed at Salamanca, of a verity, 
where many learned churchmen were of your way of 
thinking, Senor, though more were against it. Our lord 
the king, and our lady the queen, however, are disposed to 
view the matter favorably, and this commission hath been 
commanded that we might arrange all previous principles, 
and determine the rights of the respective parties. What 
force in vessels and equipments do you demand, in order 
to achieve the great objects you expect, under the bless- 
ing of God, to accomplish ?” 

“You have well spoken, lord archbishop ; it will be by 
the blessing of God, and under his especial care, that all 
will be done, for his glory and worship are involved in the 
success. With so good an ally on my side little worldly 
means will be necessary. Two caravels of light burden 
are all I ask, with the flag of the sovereigns, and a suffi- 
ciency of mariners.” , 

The commissioners turned toward each other in surprise, 
and while some saw in the moderate request the enthusias- 
tic heedlessness of a visionary, others detected the steady 
reliance of faith. 

“That is not asking much, truly,” observed the prelate, 
who was among the first; “and, though these wars have 
left us of Castile with an exhausted treasury, we could 
compass that little without the aid of a miracle. The car- 
avels might be found, and the mariners levied, but there 
are weighty points to determine before we reach that con- 
cession. You expect, Sefior, to be intrusted with the com- 
mand of the expedition, in your own person ?” 

“ Without'that confidence I could not be answerable for 
success. I ask the full and complete authority of an ad- 
miral, or a sea-commander, of their highnesses. The force 
employed will be trifling in appearance, but the risks will 
be great, and the power of the two crowns must com- 


88 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


pletely sustain that of him on whose shoulders will rest 
the entire weight of the responsibility.” 

“This is but just, and none will gainsay it. But, Senor, 
have you thought maturely on the advantages that are to 
accrue to the sovereigns, should they sustain you in this 
undertaking ? ” 

“ Lord archbishop, for eighteen years hath this subject 
occupied my thoughts, and employed my studies, both by 
day and by night. In the whole of that long period have 
I done little that hath not had a direct bearing on the suc- 
cess of this mighty enterprise. The advantages to all 
concerned that will flow from it have, therefore, scarce 
been forgotten.” 

“Name them, Senor.” 

“ First, then, as is due to his all-seeing and omnipotent 
protection, glory will be given to the Almighty, by the 
spreading of his church and the increase of his worship- 
pers.” Fernando de Talavera and all the churchmen 
present piously crossed themselves, an act in which Co- 
lumbus himself joined. “ Their highnesses, as is meet, will 
reap the next advantages, in the extension of their empire 
and in the increase of their subjects. Wealth will flow in 
upon Castile and Aragon in a rapid stream, his holiness 
freely granting to Christian monarchs the thrones and ter- 
ritories of all infidel princes whose possessions may be 
discovered, or people converted to the faith, through their 
means.” 

“This is plausible, Sefior,” returned the prelate, “and 
founded on just principles. His holiness certainly is en- 
trusted with that power, and hath been known to use it 
for the glory of God. You doubtless know, Senor Colon, 
that Don John of Portugal hath paid great attention to 
these matters already, and that he and his predecessors 
have probably pushed discovery to the verge of its final 
limits. His enterprise hath also obtained from Rome cer- 
tain privileges that may not be meddled with.” 

“ I am not ignorant of the Portuguese enterprise, holy 
prelate, nor of the spirit with which Don John hath exer- 
cised his power. His vessels voyage along the western 
shore of Africa, and in a direction altogether different from 
that I propose to take. My purpose is to launch forth, at 
once, into the broad Atlantic, and, by following the sun 
toward his place of evening retirement, reach the eastern 
bounds of the Indies by a road that will lessen the journey 
many months.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


89 


Although the archbishop and most of his coadjutors be- 
longed to the numerous class of those who regarded Co- 
lumbus as a brain-heated visionary, the earnest but lofty 
dignity with which he thus simply touched upon his pro- 
jects ; the manner in which he quietly smoothed down his 
white locks, when he had spoken ; and the enthusiasm that 
never failed to kindle in his eye, as he dwelt on his noble 
designs, produced a deep impression on all present, and 
there was a moment when the general feeling was to aid 
him to the extent of the common means. It was a 
singular and peculiar proof of the existence of this tran- 
sient feeling that one of the commissioners immediately 
inquired : 

“ Do you propose, Senor Colon, to seek the court of 
Prestor John ? ” 

“ I know not, noble Senor, that such a potentate hath 
even an existence,” answered Columbus, whose notions 
had got the fixed and philosophical bias that is derived 
frorn science, and who entered little into the popular fal- 
lacies of the day, though necessarily subject to much of 
the ignorance of the age ; “ I find nothing to establish the 
truth of there being such a monarch at all, or such terri- 
tories.” 

This admission did not help the navigator’s cause ; for to 
affirm that the earth was a sphere, and that Prestor John 
was a creature of the imagination, was abandoning the 
marvellous to fall back on demonstration and probabilities 
— a course that the human mind, in its uncultivated condi- 
tion, is not fond of taking. 

“ There are men who will be willing to put faith in the 
truth of Prestor John’s power and territories,” interrupted 
one of the commissioners, who was indebted to his present 
situation purely to King Ferdinand’s policy, “who will 
flatly deny that the earth is round ; since we all know that 
there are kings, and territories, and Christians, while we 
see that the earth and the ocean are plains.” 

This opinion was received with an assenting smile by 
most present, though Fernando de Talavera had doubts of 
its justice. 

“Senor,” answered Columbus, mildly, “if all in this 
world was in truth what it seemeth, confessions would be 
little needed, and penance would be much lighter.” 

“I esteem you a good Christian, Senor Colon,” ob- 
served the archbishop, sharply. 

“ I am such as the grace of God and a weak nature have 


9 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 




made me, lord archbishop \ though I humbly trust that 
when I shall have achieved this great end, that I may be 
deemed more worthy of the divine protection, as well as of 
the divine favor.” 

“It hath been said that thou deemest thyself especially 
set apart by Providence for this work.” 

“ I feel that within me, holy prelate, that encourageth 
such a hope ; but I build naught on mysteries that exceed 
my comprehension.” 

It would be difficult to say whether Colombiis lost or 
gained in the opinions of his auditors by this answer. 
The religious feeling of the age was in perfect consonance 
with the sentiment ; but, to the churchmen present, it 
seemed arrogant in an humble and unknown layman, even 
to believe it possible that he could be the chosen vessel, 
when so many who appeared to have higher claims were re- 
jected. Still no expression of this feeling was permitted, 
for it was then, as it is now — he who seemed to rely on 
the power of God carrying with him a weight and an in- 
fluence that ordinarily checked rebukes. 

“You propose to endeavor to reach Cathay by means 
of sailing forth into the broad Atlantic,” resumed the 
archbishop, “ and yet you deny the existence of Prestor 
John.” 

“Your pardon, holy prelate; I do propose to reach 
Cathay and Cipango in the mode you mention, but I do 
not absolutely deny the existence of the monarch you 
have named. For the probability of the success of my en- 
terprise I have already produced my proofs and reasons, 
wdiich have satisfied many learned churchmen ; but evi- 
dence is wanting to establish the last.” 

“And yet Giovanni di Montecorvino, a pious„bisliop of 
our holy church, is said to have converted such a prince 
to the true faith nearly two centuries since.” 

“ The power of God can do anything, lord archbishop, 
and I am not one to question the merits of his chosen 
ministers. All I can answer on this point is, to sav that I 
find no scientific or plausible reasons to justify me in pur- 
suing what may prove to be as deceptive as the light 
which recedes before the hand that would touch it. As 
for Cathay and its position and its wonders, we have the 
better established evidence of the renowned Venetians, 
Marco and Nicolo Polo, who not only travelled in those 
territories, but sojourned years at the court of their mon- 
arch. But, noble gentlemen, whether there is a Prestor 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


91 


John, or a Cathay, there is certainly a limit to the west- 
ern side of the Atlantic, and that limit I am ready to 
seek.” 

The archbishop betrayed his incredulity in the upward 
turn of his eyes ; but, having his commands from those 
who were accustomed to be obeyed, and knowing that 
the theory of Columbus had been gravely heard and 
reported on, years before, at Salamanca, he determined 
prudently to keep within his proper sphere, and to pro- 
ceed at once to that into which it was his duty to inquire. 

“You have set forth the advantages that you think 
may be derived to the sovereigns, should your project 
succeed, senor,” he said, “ and truly they are not light, if 
all your brilliant hopes may be realized ; but it now re- 
maineth to know what conditions you reserve for yourself, 
as the reward of all your risks and many years of anxious 
labor.” 

“ All that hath been duly considered, illustrious arch- 
bishop, and you will find the substance of my wishes set 
forth in this paper, though many of the smaller provisions 
will remain to be enumerated.” 

As Columbus spoke he handed the paper in question 
to Ferdinand of Talavera. The prelate ran his eyes over 
it hastily at first, but a second time with more delibera- 
tion, and it would be difficult to say whether ridicule or 
indignation was most strongly expressed in his counte- 
nance, as he deridingly threw the document on a table. 
When this act of contempt was performed, he turned to- 
ward Columbus, as if to satisfy himself that the navigator 
was not mad. 

“Art thou serious in demanding these terms, senor?” 
he asked sternly, and with a look that would have caused 
most men in the humble station of the applicant to swerve 
from their purpose. 

“ Lord Archbishop,” answered Columbus, with a dignity 
that was not easily disturbed, “ this matter hath now occu- 
pied my mind quite eighteen years. During the whole of 
this long period I have thought seriously of little else, and 
it may be said to have engaged my mind sleeping and 
waking. I saw the truth earnestly and intensely, but every 
day seems to bring it brighter and brighter before my eyes. 
I feel a reliance on success that cometh from dependence 
on God. I think myself an agent, chosen for the accom- 
plishment of great ends, and ends that will not be decided 
by the success of this one enterprise. There is more be- 


92 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


yond, and I must retain the dignity and the means neces- 
sary to accomplish it. I cannot abate, in the smallest 
degree, the nature or the amount of these conditions.” 

Although the manner in which these words were uttered 
lent them weight, the prelate fancied that the mind of the 
navigator had got to be unsettled by his long contempla- 
tion of a single subject. The only things that left any 
doubt concerning the accuracy of this opinion were the 
method and science with which he had often maintained, 
even in his own presence, the reasonableness of his geo- 
graphical suppositions ; arguments which, though they 
had failed to convince one bent on believing the projector 
a visionary, had, nevertheless, greatly puzzled the listener. 
Still, the demands he had just read seemed so extravagant, 
that, for a single instant, a sentiment of pity repressed 
the burst of indignation to which he felt disposed to give 
vent. 

“ How like ye, noble lords,” he cried, sarcastically, 
turning to two or three of his fellow-commissioners, who 
had eagerly seized the paper and were endeavoring to read 
it, and all at the same moment, “the moderate and modest 
demands of the Seiior Christoval Colon, the celebrated 
navigator who confounded the Council of Salamanca ? 
Are they not such as becometh their Highnesses to accept 
on bended knees, and with many thanks ? ” 

“ Read them, Lord Archbishop,” exclaimed several in a 
breath. “ Let us first know their nature.” 

“ There are many minor conditions that might be grant- 
ed as unworthy of discussion,” resumed the prelate, tak- 
ing the paper; “but here are two that must give the 
sovereigns infinite satisfaction. The Senor Colon actually 
satisfieth himself with the rank of Admiral and Viceroy 
over all the countries he may discover ; and as for gains, 
one-tenth — the church’s share, my brethren — yea, even 
one-tenth, one humble tenth of the proceeds and customs, 
will content him ! ” 

The general murmur that passed among the commis- 
sioners denoted a common dissatisfaction, and at that 
instant Columbus had not a true supporter in the room. 

“Nor is this all, illustrious nobles, and holy priests,” 
continued the archbishop, following up his advantage as 
soon as he believed his auditors ready to hear him, “ nor 
is this all ; lest these high dignities should weary their 
Highnesses’ shoulders, and those of their royal progeny, 
the liberal Genoese actually consenteth to transmit them 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


93 


to his own posterity, in all time to come ; converting the 
kingdom of Cathay into a realm for the uses of the house 
of Colon, to maintain the dignity of which the tenth of 
all the benefits are to be consigned to its especial care ! ” 

There would have been an open laugh at this sally, had 
not the noble bearing of Columbus checked its indulgence ; 
and even Ferdinand of Talavera, under the stern rebuke 
of an eye and mien that carried with them a grave author- 
ity, began to think he had gone too far. 

“Your pardon, Senor Colon,” he immediately and more 
courteously added ; “ but your conditions sounded so 
lofty that they have quite taken me by surprise. You can- 
not seriously mean to maintain them ?” 

“ Not one jot will I abate, LoYd Priest ; that much will 
be my due ; and he that consenteth to less than he de- 
serveth becometh an instrument of his own humiliation. I 
shall give to the sovereigns an empire that will far exceed 
in value all their other possessions, and I claim my reward. 
I tell you, moreover, reverend prelate, that there is much 
in reserve, and that these conditions will be needed to 
fulfil the future.” 

“ These are truly modest proposals for a nameless 
Genoese ! ” exclaimed one of the courtiers, who had been 
gradually swelling with disgust and contempt. “The 
Senor Colon will be certain of commanding in the service 
of their Highnesses, and if nothing is done he will have 
that high honor without cost ; whereas, should this most im- 
probable scheme lead to any benefits, he will become a 
vice-king, humbly contenting himself with the church’s 
revenue ! ” 

This remark appeared to determine the wavering, and 
the commissioners rose, in a body, as if the matter were 
thought to be unworthy of further discussion. With the 
view to preserve at least the appearance of impartiality and 
discretion, however, the archbishop turned once more to- 
ward Columbus, and now, certain of obtaining his ends, he 
spoke to him in milder tones. 

“ For the last time, Senor,” he said, “ I ask if you still 
insist on these unheard-of terms ? ” 

“ On them, and on no other,” said Columbus firmly. “I 
know the magnitude of the services I shall perform, and 
will not degrade them — will in no manner lessen their dig- 
nity by accepting aught else. But, Lord Archbishop, and 
you, too, noble Senor, that treateth my claims so lightly, 

I am ready to add to the risk of person, life, and name, 


94 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


that of gold. I will furnish one-eighth of the needful sums, 
if ye will increase rny benefits in that proportion.” 

“ Enough, enough,” returned the prelate, preparing to 
quit the room ; “ we will make our report to the sover- 
eigns, this instant, and thou shalt speedily know their 
pleasure.” 

Thus terminated the conference. The courtiers left the 
room, conversing earnestly among themselves, like men 
who did not care to repress their indignation ; while Co- 
lumbus, filled with the noble character of his own designs, 
disappeared in another direction, with the bearing of one 
whose self-respect was not to be lessened by clamor, and 
who appreciated ignorance and narrowness of views too 
justly to suffer them to change his own high purposes. 

Ferdinand of Talavcra was as good as his word. He tvas 
the queen’s confessor, and, in virtue of that holy office, 
had at all times access to her presence. Full of the sub- 
ject of the late interview, he took his way directly to the 
private apartments of the queen, and, as a matter of course, 
was at once admitted. Isabella heard his representations 
with mortification and regret, for she had begun to set her 
heart on the sailing of this extraordinary expedition. But 
the influence of the archbishop was very great, for his 
royal penitent knew the sincerity and devotedness of his 
heart. 

“This carrieth presumption to insolence, Senora,” con- 
tinued the irritated churchman ; “ have we not here a men- 
dicant adventurer demanding honors and authority that 
belong only to God and his anointed, the princes of the 
earth ? Who is this Colon ? a nameless Genoese, without 
rank, services, or modesty, and yet doth he carry his pre- 
tensions to a height that might cause even a Guzman to 
hesitate.” 

“ He is a good Christian, holy prelate,” Isabella meekly 
answered, “and seemeth to delight in the service and 
glory of God, and to wish to favor the extension of his 
visible and Catholic Church.” 

“True, Senora, and yet may there be deceit in this ” 

“Nay, Lord Archbishop, I do not think that deceit is the 
man’s failing, for franker speech and more manly bearing 
it is not usual to see, even in the most powerful. He hath 
solicited us for years, and yet no act of meanness may be 
fairly laid to his charge.” 

“I shall not judge the heart of this man harshly, Dona 
Isabella, but we may judge of his actions and his preten* 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


95 


sions, and how far they may be suitable to the dignity of 
the two crowns, freely and without censure. I confess him 
grave, and plausible, and light of neither discourse nor 
manner, virtues certainly, as the world moveth in courts ” 
— Isabella smiled, but she said nothing, for her ghostly 
counsellor was wont to rebuke with freedom, and she to 
listen with humility — “where the age is not exhibiting its 
purest models of sobriety of thought and devotion^ but 
even these may exist without the spirit that shall be fitted 
for heaven. But what are gravity and decorum, if sus- 
tained by an inflated pride and inordinate rapacity ? am- 
bition being a term too lofty for such a craving. Reflect, 
Senora, on the full nature of these demands. This Colon 
requireth to be established, forever, in the high state of a 
substitute for a king, not only for his own person, but for 
those of his descendants throughout all time, with the title 
and authority of admiral over all adjacent seas, should he 
discover any of the lands he so much exalts, before he will 
consent to enter into the command of certain of your high- 
nesses’ vessels, a station of itself only too honorable for 
one of so little note ! Should his most extravagant preten- 
sions be realized — and the probabilities are that they will 
entirely fail — his demands would exceed his services ; 
whereas, in the case of failure, the Castilian and Aragon- 
ese names would be covered with ridicule, and a sore dis- 
respect would befall the royal dignity for having been thus 
duped by an adventurer. Much of the glory of this late 
conquest would be tarnished by a mistake so unfortunate.” 

“ Daughter-Marchioness,” observed the queen, turning 
toward the faithful and long-tried friend who was occupied 
with her needle near her own side, “ these conditions of 
Colon do, truly, seem to exceed the bounds of reason.” 

“The enterprise also exceedeth all the usual bounds of 
risks and adventures, Senora,” was the steady reply of 
Dona Beatriz, as she glanced toward the countenance of 
Mercedes. “ Noble efforts deserve noble rewards.” 

The eye of Isabella followed the glance of her friend, 
and it remained fixed for some time on the pale, anxious 
features of her favorite’s ward. The beautiful girl herself 
was unconscious of the attention she excited ; but one who 
knew her secret might easily detect the intense feeling 
with which she awaited the issue. The opinions of her 
confessor had seemed so reasonable, that Isabella was on 
the point of assenting to the report of the commissioners, 
and of abandoning altogether the secret hopes and expec* 


96 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


tations she had begun to couple with the success of the 
navigator’s schemes, when a gentler feeling, one that be- 
longed peculiarly to her own feminine heart, interposed 
to give the mariner another chance. It is seldom that 
woman is dead to the sympathies connected with the 
affections, and the wishes that sprang from the love of 
Mercedes de Valverde were the active cause of the de- 
cision that the Queen of Castile came to at that critical 
moment. 

“We must be neither harsh nor hasty with this Genoese, 
Lord Archbishop,” she said, turning again to the prelate. 
“ He hath the virtues of devoutness and fair-dealing, and 
these are qualities that sovereigns learn to> prize. His 
demands no doubt have become somewhat exaggerated 
by long brooding, in his thoughts, on a favorite and great 
scheme ; but kind words and reason may yet lead him to 
more moderation. Let him, then, be tried with propo- 
sitions of our own, and doubtless his necessities, if not a 
sense of justice, will cause him to accept them. The 
viceroyalty doth, indeed, exceed the usual policy of princes, 
and, as you say, holy prelate, the tenth is the church’s 
share ; but the admiral’s rank may be fairly claimed. 
Meet him, then, with these moderated proposals, and 
substitute a fifteenth for a tenth ; let him be a viceroy in 
his own person, during the pleasure of Don Fernando and 
myself, but let him relinquish the claim for his posterity.” 

Fernando de Talavera thought even these concessions 
too considerable, but, while he exercised his sacred office 
with a high authority, he too well knew the character of 
Isabella to presume to dispute an order she had once 
issued, although it was in her own mild and feminine 
manner. After receiving a few more instructions, there- 
fore, and "obtaining the counsel of the king, who was at 
work in an adjoining cabinet, the prelate went to execute 
this new commission. 

Two or three days now passed before the subject was 
finally disposed of, and Isabella was again seated in the 
domestic circle, when admission was once more demanded 
in behalf of her confessor. The archbishop entered with 
a flushed face, and his whole appearance was so disturbed 
that it must have been observed by the most indifferent 
person. 

“ How now, holy archbishop,” demanded Isabella, “ doth 
thy new flock vex thy spirit, and is it so very hard to deal 
with an infidel ? ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


97 


“Tis naught of that, Sehora — ’tis naught relating to my 
new people. I find even the followers of the false prophet 
more reasonable than some who exult in Christ’s name 
and- favor. This Colon is a madman, and better fitted to 
become a saint in Mussulmans’ eyes, than even a pilot in 
Your Highness’ service.” 

At this burst of indignation the queen, the Marchioness 
of Moya, and Dona Mercedes de Val verde, simultaneously 
dropped their needle-work, and sat looking at the prelate 
with a common concern. They had all hoped that the 
difficulties which stood in the way of a favorable termina- 
tion to the negotiation would be removed, and that the time 
was at hand when the being who, in spite of the boldness 
and unusual character of his projects, had succeeded in so 
signally commanding their respect, and in interesting their 
feelings, was about to depart, and to furnish a practical so- 
lution to problems that had as much puzzled their reasons 
as they hacT excited their curiosity. But here was some- 
thing like a sudden and unlooked-for termination to all 
their expectations ; and while Mercedes felt something like 
despair chilling her heart, the queen and Dona Beatriz 
were both displeased. 

“ Didst thou duly explain to Sefior Colon the nature of 
our proposals, Lord Archbishop?” the former asked, with 
more severity of manner than she was accustomed to 
betray ; “and doth he still insist on the pretensions to a 
vice-regal power, and on the offensive condition in behalf 
of his posterity ? ” 

“Even so, your highness; were it Isabella of Castile 
treating with Henry of England or Louis of France, the 
starving Genoese could not hold higher terms or more in- 
flexible conditions. He abateth nothing. The man deem- 
cth himself chosen of God to answer certain ends, and his 
language and conditions are such as one who felt a holy 
impulse to his course could scarcely feel warranted in as- 
suming.” 

“ This constancy hath its merit,” observed the queen ; 
“but there is a limit to concession. I shall urge no more 
in the navigator’s favor, but leave him to the fortune that 
naturally followeth self-exaltation and all extravagance of 
demand.” 

This speech apparently sealed the fate of Columbus in 
Castile. The archbishop was appeased, and, first holding 
a short private conference with his 'royal penitent, he left 
the room. Shortly after, Christoval Colon, *.s he was 

7 


9 8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


called by the Spaniards — Columbus, as he styled himsell 
in later life — received, for a definite answer, the informa- 
tion that his conditions were rejected, and that the nego- 
tiation for the projected voyage to the Indies was finally at 
an end. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

“ Oh ! ever thus, from childhood’ s~*h our, 

I’ve seen my fondest hopes decay ; 

I never loved a tree or flower, 

But’twas the first to fade away .” — Lalla Rookh. 

The season had now advanced to the first days of Febru- 
ary, and, in that low latitude, the weather was becoming 
genial and springlike. On the morning succeeding that 
of the interview just related some six or eight individuals, 
attracted by the loveliness of the day, and induced morally 
by a higher motive, were assembled before the door of one 
of those low dwellings of Santa Fe that had been erected 
for the accommodation of the conquering army. Most of 
these persons were grave Spaniards of a certain age, 
though young Luis de Bobadilla was also there, and the 
tall, dignified form of Columbus was in the group. The 
latter was equipped for the road, and a stout, serviceable 
Andalusian mule stood ready to receive its burden near 
at hand. A charger was by the side of the mule, showing 
that the rider of the last was about to have company. 
Among the Spaniards were Alonzo de Quintanilla, the ac- 
countant-general of Castile, a firm friend of the navigator, 
and Luis de St. Angel, the receiver of the ecclesiastical 
revenues of Aragon, who was one of the firmest converts 
that Columbus had made to the philosophical accuracy of 
his opinions and to the truth of his vast conceptions. 

The last two had been in earnest discourse with the 
navigator, but the discussion had closed, and Senor de St. 
Angel, a man of generous feelings and ardent imagina- 
tion, was just expressing himself warmly in the following 
words : 

“ By the lustre of the two crowns!” he cried, “this 
ought not to come to pass. But, adieu, Senor Colon — 
God have you in his holy keeping, and send you wiser and 
less prejudiced judges hereafter. The past can only cause 
us shame and grief, while the future is in the womb of 
time.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


99 


The whole party, with the exception of Luis de Boba- 
dilla, then took their leave. As soon as the place was clear 
Columbus mounted and passed through the thronged 
streets attended bv the young noble on his charger. Not 
a syllable was uttered by either until they were fairly on 
the plain, though Columbus often sighed like a man op- 
pressed with grief. Still, his mien was calm, his bearing 
dignified, and his eye lighted with that unquenchable fire 
which finds its fuel in the soul within. 

When fairly without the gates Columbus turned courte- 
ously to his young companion and thanked him for his 
escort ; but, with a consideration for the other that was 
creditable to his heart, he added : 

“While I am so grateful for this honor, coming from 
one so noble and full of hopes, I must not forget your own 
character. Didst thou not remark, friend Luis, as we 
passed through the streets, that divers Spaniards pointed 
at me as the object of scorn ?” 

“I did, sefior,” answered Luis, his cheek glowing with 
indignation, “ and had it not been that I dreaded your dis- 
pleasure I would have trodden the vagabonds beneath my 
horse’s feet, failing of a lance to spit them on ! ” 

“ Thou hast acted most wisely in showing forbearance. 
But these are men, and their common judgment maketh 
public opinion ; nor do I perceive that the birth or the 
opportunities causeth material distinctions between them, 
though the manner of expression vary. There are vulgar 
among the noble, and noble among the lowly. This very 
act of kindness of thine will find its deriders and con- 
temners in the court of the two sovereigns.” 

“ Let him look to it who presumeth to speak lightly of 
you, sefior, to Luis de Bobadilla ! We are not a patient 
race, and Castilian blood is apt to be hot blood.” 

“ I should be sorry that any man but myself should draw 
in my quarrel. But if we take offence at all who think 
and speak folly, we may pass our days in harness. Let the 
young nobles have their jest, if it give them pleasure — but 
do not let me regret my friendship for thee.” 

Luis promised fairly, and then, as if his truant thoughts 
would revert to the subject unbidden, he hastily resumed : 

“You speak of the noble as of a class different from 
your own — surely, Senor Colon, thou art noble ?” 

“ Would it make aught different in thy opinions and 
feelings, young man, were I to answer no ? ” 

The cheek of Don Luis flushed, and, for an instant, he 


IOO 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


repented of his remark ; but, falling back on his own frank 
and generous nature, he answered immediately, without 
reservation or duplicity : 

“ By San Pedro, my new patron ! I could wish yon 
were noble, Sefior, if it were merely for the honor of the 
class. There are so many among us who do no credit to 
their spurs, that we might gladly receive such an acquisi- 
tion.” 

“This world is made up of changes, young Sefior,” re- * 
turned Columbus, smiling. “The seasons undergo their 
changes; night follows day ; comets come and go; mon- 
archs become subjects, and subjects monarchs ; nobles lose 
the knowledge of their descent ; and plebeians rise to the 
rank of nobles. There is a tradition among us, that we 
were formerly of the privileged class ; but time and our 
unlucky fortune have brought us down to humble employ- 
ments. Am I to lose the honor of Don Luis de Bobadilla’s 
company in the great voyage, should I be more fortunate 
in France than I have been in Castile, because his com- 
mander happeneth to have lost the evidences of his no- 
bility ? ” 

“That would be a most unworthy motive, Sefior, and I 
hasten to correct your mistake. As we are now about to 
part for some time, I ask permission to lay bare my whole 
soul to you. I confess that when first I heard of this voy- 
age it struck me as a madman’s scheme ” 

“Ah! friend Luis,” interrupted Columbus, with a mel- 
ancholy shake of the head, “this is the opinion of but too 
many ! I fear Don Ferdinand of Aragon, as well as that 
stern prelate, his namesake, who hath lately disposed of 
the question, thinketh in the same manner.” 

“ I crave your pardon, Sefior Colon, if I have uttered 
aught to give you pain ; but if I have once done you an 
injustice, I am ready enough to expiate the wrong, as you 
will quickly see. Thinking thus, I entered into discourse 
with you, with a view to amuse myself with fancied rav- 
ings ; but, though no immediate change of opinion fol- 
lowed as to the truth of the theory, I soon perceived that 
a great philosopher and profound reasoner had the matter 
in hand. Here my judgment might have rested, and my 
opinion been satisfied, but for a circumstance of deep mo- 
ment to myself. You must know, sefior, though come of 
the oldest blood of Spain, and not without fair possessions, 
that I may not always have answered the hopes of those 
who have been charged with the care of my youth ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


\o\ 

“This is unnecessary, noble sir ” 

“ Nay, by St. Luke ! it shall be said. Now I have two 
great and engrossing passions, that sometimes interfere 
with each other. The one is a love for rambling — a burn- 
ing desire to see foreign lands, and this, too, in a free, 
and roving fashion — with a disposition for the sea and the 
doings of havens ; and the other is a love for Mercedes de 
Val verde, the fairest, gentlest, most affectionate, warmest- 
hearted, and truest maiden of Castile!” 

“Noble, withal,” put in Columbus, smiling. 

“ Sen or,” answered Luis, gravely, “I jest not concern- 
ing my guardian angel. She is not only noble, and every 
way fitted to honor my name, but she hath the blood of 
the Guzmans themselves in her veins. But I have lost 
favor with others, if not with my lovely mistress, in yield- 
ing to this rambling inclination ; and even my own aunt, 
who is her guardian, hath not looked smilingly on my suit. 
Dona Isabella, whose word is law among all the noble 
virgins of the court, hath also her prejudices, and it hath 
become necessary to regain her good opinion to win the 
Dona Mercedes. It struck me” — Luis was too manly to 
betray his mistress by confessing that the thought was 
hers — “ it struck me that if my rambling tastes took the 
direction of some noble enterprise, like this you urge, that 
what hath been a demerit might be deemed a merit in the 
royal eyes, which would be certain soon to draw all other 
eyes after them. With this hope, then, I first entered into 
the present intercourse, until the force of your arguments 
hath completed my conversion, and now no churchman hath 
more faith in the head of his religion than I have that the 
shortest road to Cathay is at hwart the broad Atlantic ; or no 
Lombard is more persuaded that his Lombardy is flat, than 
I feel convinced that this good earth of ours is a sphere.” 

“ Speak reverently cf the ministers of the altar, young 
Senor,” said Columbus, crossing himself, “for no levity 
should be used in connection with their holy office. It 
seemeth, then,” he added, smiling, “ I owe my disciple to 
the two potent agents of love and reason ; the former, as 
most potent, overcoming the first obstacles, and the latter 
getting uppermost at the close of the affair, as is wont to 
happen — love generally triumphing in the onset, and 
reason last.” 

“ I’ll not deny the potency of the power, Sefior, for I 
feel it too deeply to rebel against it. You now know my 
secret, and when I have made you acquainted with my in- 


102 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


tentions, all will be laid bare. I here solemnly vow” — 
Don Luis lifted his cap and looked to heaven, as he spoke 
— “ to join you in this voyage on due notice, sail from 
whence you may, in whatever bark you shall choose, and 
whenever you please. In doing this, I trust, first to serve 
God and his church ; secondly, to visit Cathay and those 
distant and wonderful lands; and lastly, to win Dona Mer- 
cedes de Valverde.” 

“ I accept the pledge, young sir,’* rejoined Columbus, 
struck by his earnestness, and pleased with his sincerity, 
“though it might have been a more faithful representation 
of your thoughts had the order of the motives been re- 
versed.” 

“In a few months I shall be master of my own means,” . 
continued the youth, too intent on his own purposes to 
heed what the navigator had said, “ and then, nothing but 
the solemn command of Doha Isabella, herself, shall pre- 
vent our having one caravel, at least ; and the coffers of 
Bobadilla must have been foully dealt by, during their 
master’s childhood, if they do not afford two. I am no 
subject of Don Fernando’s, but a servant of the elder 
branch of the House of Trastamara ; and the cold judg- 
ment of the king, even, shall not prevent it.” 

“This soundeth generously, and thy sentiments are such 
as become a youthful and enterprising noble ; but the offer 
cannot be accepted. It \yould not become Columbus to 
use gold that came from so confiding a spirit and so in- 
experienced a head ; and there are still greater obstacles 
than this. My enterprise must rest on the support of some 
powerful prince. Even the Guzman hath not deemed 
himself of sufficient authority to uphold a scheme so large. 
Did we make the discoveries without that sanction, we 
should be toiling for others, without security for ourselves, 
since the Portuguese or some other monarch would wrong 
us of our reward. That I am destined to effect this great 
work I feel, and it must be done in a manner suited to 
the majesty of the thought and to . the magnitude of the 
subject. And, here, Don Luis, we must part. Should my 
suit be successful at the court of France thou shalt hear 
from me, for I ask no better than to be sustained by hearts 
and hands like thine. Still, thou must not mar thy fort- 
unes unheedingly, and I am now a fallen man in Castile. 
It may not serve thee a good turn to be known to fre- 
quent my company any longer — and I again say, here we 
must part.” 


MERCEDES OF CAS7VLE. 


103 


Luis de Bobadilla protested his indifference to what 
others might think ; but the more experienced Columbus, 
who rose so high above popular clamor in matters that 
affected himself, felt a generous reluctance to permit this 
confiding youth to sacrifice his hopes to any friendly im- 
pressions in his own favor. The leave-taking w 7 as warm, 
and the navigator felt a glow at his heart as he witnessed 
the sincere and honest emotions that the young man could 
not repress at parting. They separated, however, about 
half a league from the town, and each bent his w T ay in his 
own direction ; Don Luis de Bobadilla’s heart swelling 
with indignation at the unworthy treatment that there w T as, 
in sooth, so much reason for thinking his new friend had 
received. 

Columbus journeyed on with very different emotions. 
Seven weary years had he been soliciting the monarchs 
and nobles of Spain to aid him in his enterprise. In that 
long period how much of poverty, contempt, ridicule, and 
even odium, had he not patiently encountered, rather than 
abandon the slight hold that he had obtained on a few of 
the more liberal and enlightened minds of the nation ! He 
had toiled for bread while soliciting the great to aid them- 
selves in becoming still more powerful ; and each ray of 
hope, however feeble, had been eagerly caught at with 
joy, each disappointment borne with a constancy that 
none but the most exalted spirit could sustain. But he 
w r as now required to endure the most grievous of all hh 
pains. The recall of Isabella had awakened within him a 
confidence to which he had long been a stranger, and he 
awaited the termination of the siege with the calm dignity 
that became his purpose, no less than his lofty philosophy. 
The hour of leisure had come, and it produced a fatal de- 
struction to all his buoyant hopes. He had thought his 
motives understood, his character appreciated, and his 
high objects felt ; but he now found himself still regarded 
as a visionary projector, his intentions distrusted, and his 
promised services despised. In a word, the bright expec- 
tations that had cheered his toil for years had vanished in 
a day, and the disappointment was all the greater for the 
brief but delusive hopes produced by his recent favor. 

It is not surprising, therefore, that, when left alone on 
the highway, even the spirit of this extraordinary man 
grew faint within him, and he had to look to the highest 
power for succor. His head dropped upon his breast, and 
one of those bitter moments occurred in which the past 


104 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


and the future crowd the mind, painfully as to sufferings 
endured, cheerfully as to hope. The time wasted in Spain 
seemed a blot in his existence, and then came the proba- 
bility of another long and exhausting probation, that, like 
this, might lead to nothing. He had already reached the 
lustrum that would fill his three-score years, and life 
seemed slipping from beneath him, while its great object 
remained unachieved. Still the high resolution of the 
man sustained him. Not once did he think of a compro- 
mise of what he felt to be his rights ; not once did he 
doubt of the practicability of accomplishing the great en- 
terprise that others derided. His heart was full of cour- 
age, even while his bosom was full of grief. “ There is a 
wise, a merciful, and omnipotent God ! ” he exclaimed, 
raising his eyes to heaven. “ He knoweth what is meet 
for His own glory, and in Him*do I put my trust.” There 
was a pause, and the eyes kindled, while a scarcely per- 
ceptible smile lighted the grave face, and then were mur- 
mured the words, “Yea, He taketh His time, but the infi- 
del shall be enlightened, and the blessed sepulchre re- 
deemed ! ” 

After this burst of feeling the grave-looking man, whose 
hairs had already become whitened to the color of snow, 
by cares, and toils, and exposures, pursued his way, with 
the quiet dignity of one who believed that he was not cre- 
ated for naught, and who trusted in God for the fulfil- 
ment of his destiny. If quivering sighs occasionally broke 
out of his breast, they did not disturb the placidity of his 
venerable countenance ; if grief and disappointment still 
lay heavy on his heart, they rested on a base that was able 
to support them. Leaving Columbus to follow the com- 
mon mule-track across the Vega, we will now return to 
Santa Fe, where Ferdinand and Isabella had re-established 
their court, after the few first days that succeeded the pos- 
session of their new conquest. 

Luis de St. Angel was a man of ardent feelings and gen- 
erous impulses. He was one of those few spirits who live 
in advance of their age, and who permitted his reason to be 
enlightened and cheered by his imagination, though it was 
never dazzled by it. As he and his friend, Alonzo de Quin- 
tanilla. after quitting Columbus as already related , walked 
toward the royal pavilion, they conversed freely togeth- 
er concerning the man, his vast conceptions, the treatment 
he had received, and the shame that would alight on Spain 
in consequence were he suffered thus to depart forever. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


io 5 

Blunt of speech, the receiver of the ecclesiastical revenues 
did not measure his terms, every syllable of which found 
an echo in the heart of the accountant-general, who was 
an old and fast friend of the navigator. In short, by the 
time they reached the pavilion they had come to the res- 
olution to make one manly effort to induce the queen to 
yield to Columbus’ terms and to recall him to her pres- 
ence. 

Isabella was always easy of access to such of her ser- 
vants as she knew to be honest and zealous. The age was 
one of formality, and, in many respects, of exaggeration, 
while the court was renowned for ceremony ; but the pure 
spirit of the queen threw a truth and a natural grace around 
all that depended on her, which rendered mere forms, ex- 
cept as they were connected with delicacy and propriety, 
useless, and, indeed, impracticable. Both the applicants for 
the interview enjoyed her favor, and the request was granted 
with that simple directness that this estimable woman loved 
to manifest whenever she thought she was about to oblige 
any whom she esteemed. 

The queen was surrounded by the few ladies among 
whom she lived in private, as Luis de St. Angel and Alonzo 
de Quintanilla entered. Among them, of course, were the 
Marchioness of Moya and Doha Mercedes de Valverde. 
The king, on this occasion, was in an adjoining closet, at 
work, as usual, with his calculations and orders. Official 
labor was Ferdinand’s relaxation, and he seldom manifested 
more happiness than when clearing off a press of affairs 
that most men would have found to the last degree burden- 
some. He was a hero in the saddle, a warrior at the head 
of armies, a sage in council, and respectable, if not great, 
in all things but motives. 

“ What has brought the Senor St. Angel and the Senor 
Quintanilla, as suitors, so early to my presence ?” asked 
Isabella, smiling in a way to assure both that the boon would 
be asked of a partial mistress. “ Ye are not wont to be beg- 
gars, and the hour is somewhat unusual.” 

“ All hours are suitable, gracious lady, when one cometh 
to confer and not to seek favor,” returned Luis de St. Angel, 
bluntly. “ We are not here to solicit for ourselves, but to 
show your highness the manner in which the crown of Cas- 
tile maybe garnished with brighter jewels than any it now 
possesseth.” 

Isabella looked surprised, both at the words of the 
speaker and at his hurried earnestness, as well as his free- 


106 MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 

dom of speech. Accustomed, however, to something of the 
last, her own calm manner was not disturbed, nor did she 
even seem displeased. 

“ Hath the Moor another kingdom of which to be de- 
spoiled,” she asked ; “ or would the receiver of the church’s 
revenues have us war upon the Holy See ? ” 

“ I would have your highness accept the boons that come 
from God with alacrity and gratitude, and not reject them 
unthankfully,” returned de St. Angel, kissing the queen’s 
offered hand with a respect and affection that neutralized 
the freedom of his words. “ Do you know, my gracious mis- 
tress, that the Senor Christoval Colon, he from whose high 
projects we Spaniards have hoped so much, hath actually 
taken mule and quitted Santa Fe ?” 

“ I expected as much, Senor, though I was not apprised 
that it had actually come to pass. The king and I put 
the matter into the hands of the Archbishop of Granada, 
with other trusty councillors, and they have found the 
terms of the Genoese arrogant ; so full of exceeding and 
unreasonable extravagance that it ill befitted our dignity, 
and our duty to ourselves, to grant them. One who hath 
a scheme of such doubtful results ought to manifest 
moderation in his preliminaries. Many even believe the 
man a visionary.” 

“ It is unlike an unworthy pretender, Senora, to abandon 
his hopes before he will yield his dignity. This Colon feel- 
eth that he is treating for empires, and he nogotiates like 
one full of the importance of his subject.” 

“ He that lightly valueth himself, in matters of gravity, 
hath need to expect that he will not stand high in the esti- 
mation of others,” put in Alonzo de Quintanilla. 

“ And, moreover,* my gracious and beloved mistress,” 
added de St. Angel, without permitting Isabella even to 
answer, “the character of the man, and the value of his 
intentions, may be appreciated by the price he setteth on 
his own services. If he succeed, will not the discovery 
eclipse all others that have been made since the creation 
of the world ? Is it nothing to circle the earth, to prove 
the wisdom of God by actual experiment, to follow the sun 
in its daily track, and imitate the motions of that glorious 
moving mass ? And then the benefits that will flow on 
Castile and Aragon — are they not incalculable ? I marvel 
that a princess who hath shown so high and rare a spirit on 
all other occasions should shrink from so grand an enter* 
prise as this ! ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


107 


“ Thou art earnest, my good de St. Angel,” returned 
Isabella, with a smile that betrayed no anger ; “ and when 
there is much earnestness there is sometimes much forget- 
fulness. If there were honor and profit in success, what 
would there be in failure ? Should the king and myself 
send out this Colon, with a commission to be our viceroy, 
forever, over undiscovered lands, and no lands be discov- 
ered, the wisdom of our councils might be called in ques- 
tion, and the dignity of the two crowns would be fruitlessly 
and yet deeply committed.” 

“ The hand of the Lord Archbishop is in this ! This 
prelate hath never been a believer in the justice of the 
navigator’s theories, and it is easy to raise objections when 
the feelings lean against an enterprise. No glory is ob- 
tained without risk. Look, your highness, at our neighbors, 
the Portuguese — how much have discoveries done for that 
kingdom, and how much more may it do for us ! We know, 
my honored mistress, that the earth is round ” 

“ Are we quite certain of that important fact, Sen or,” 
asked the king, who, attracted by the animated and un- 
usual tones of the speaker, had left his closet, and ap- 
proached unseen. “ Is that truth established ? Our doc- 
tors at Salamanca were divided on that great question, and, 
by St. James ! I do not see that it is so very clear.” 

“ If not round, my lord the king,” answered de St. Angel, 
turning quickly to face this new opponent, like a well- 
drilled corps wheeling into a new front, “of what form can 
it be ? Will any doctor, come he of Salamanca, or come 
he from elsewhere, pretend that the earth is a plain, and 
that it hath limits, and that one .may stand on these limits 
and jump down upon the sun as he passeth beneath at 
night — is this reasonable, honored Sehor, or is it in con- 
formity with Scripture ? ” 

“Will any one, doctor of Salamanca, or elsewhere,” re- 
joined the king, gravely, though it was evident his feelings 
were little interested in the discussion, “ allege that there 
are nations who forever walk with their heads downward, 
where the rain falleth upward, and where the sea remaineth 
in its bed, though its support cometh from above, and is 
not placed beneath ? ” 

“ It is to explain these great mysteries, Senor Don Fer- 
nando, my gracious master, that I would have this Colon 
at once go forth. We may see, nay, we have demonstra- 
tion, that the earth is a sphere, and yet we do not see that 
the waters fall from its surface anywhere. The hull of a 


io8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ship is larger than her top-masts, and yet the last are first 
visible on the ocean, which proveth that the body of the 
vessel is concealed by the form of the water. This being 
so, and all who have voyaged on the ocean know it to be 
thus, why doth not the water flow into a level, here, on our 
own shores? If the earth be round, there must be means 
to encircle it by water, as well as by land — to complete the 
entire journey, as well as to perform a part. Colon pro- 
poseth to open the way to this exploit, and the monarch 
that shall furnish the means will live in the memories of 
our descendants as one far greater than a conqueror. Re- 
member, illustrious Senor, that all the East is peopled with 
Infidels, and that the head of the church freely bestoweth 
their lands on any Christian monarch that may drag them 
from their benighted condition into the light of God’s fa- 
vor. Believe me, Doha Isabella, should another sovereign 
grant the terms Colon requireth, and reap the advantages 
that are likely to flow from such discoveries, the enemies 
of Spain would make the world ring with their songs of 
triumph, while the whole peninsula would mourn over 
this unhappy decision.” 

“Whither hath the Senor Colon sped?” demanded the 
king quickly ; all his political jealousies being momentari- 
ly aroused by the remarks of his receiver-general. “ He 
hath not gone again to Don John of Portugal ?” 

“ No, Senor, my master, but to King Louis of France, a 
sovereign whose love for Aragon amounteth to a proverb.” 

The king muttered a few words between his teeth, and 
he paced the apartment, to and fro, with a disturbed man- 
ner ; for, while no man living cared less to hazard his 
means, without the prospect of a certain return, the idea’of 
another’s reaping an* advantage that had been neglected 
by himself, brought him at once under the control of those 
feelings that always influenced his cold and calculating 
policy. With Isabella the case was different. Her pious 
# wishes had ever leaned toward the accomplishment of 
Columbus’ great project, and her generous nature had 
sympathized deeply with the noble conception, vast moral 
results, and the glory of the enterprise. Nothing but the 
manner in which her mind, as well as her religious aspira- 
tions, had been occupied by the war in Granada, had pre- 
vented her from entering earlier into a full examination of 
the navigator’s views ; and she had yielded to the counsel 
of her confessor, in denying the terms demanded by Co- 
lumbus, with a reluctance it had not been easy to overcome. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


109 


Then the gentler feelings of her sex had their influence, 
for, while she too reflected on what had just been urged, 
her eye glanced around the room and rested on the beau- 
tiful face of Mercedes, who sat silent from diffidence, but 
whose pale, eloquent countenance betrayed all the plead- 
ings of the pure, enthusiastic love of woman. 

“ Daughter-Marchioness,” asked the queen, turning as 
usual to her tried friend, in her doubts, “what thinkest 
thou of this weighty matter ? Ought we so to humble our- 
selves as to recall this haughty Genoese?” 

“ Say not haughty, Senora, for to me he seemeth much 
superior to any such feeling ; but rather regard him as one 
that hath a just appreciation of that he hath in view. I 
agree fully with the receiver-general in thinking that Cas- 
tile will be much discredited, if, in sooth, a new world 
should be discovered, and they who favored the enterprise 
could point to this court and remind it that the glory of the 
event was in its grasp, and that it threw away heedlessly — ” 

“And this, too, on a mere point of dignity, Seflora,” put 
in St. Angel — “on a question of parchment and of sound.” 

“Nay, nay,” retorted the queen; “there are those 
who think the honors claimed by Colon would far exceed 
the service, even should the latter equal all the representa- 
tions of the Genoese himself.” 

“Then, my honored mistress, they know not at what the 
Genoese aims. Reflect, Senora, that it will not be an 
every-day deed to prove that this earth is a sphere, by ac- 
tual measurement, whatever we may know in theories. 
Then cometh the wealth and benefits of those Eastern pos- 
sessions, a quarter of the world whence all riches flow — 
spices, pearls, silks, and the most precious metals. After 
these, again, cometh the great glory of God, which crown- 
eth and exceedeth all.” 

Isabella crossed herself, her cheek flushed, her eyes 
kindled, and her matronly but fine form seemed to tower 
with the majesty of the feelings that these pictures created. 

“ I do fear, Don Fernando,” she said, “ that our advisers 
have been precipitate, and that the magnitude of this proj- 
ect may justify more than common conditions!” 

But the king entered little into the generous emotions 
of his royal consort ; feeling far more keenly the stings 
of political jealousy, than any promptings of a liberal zeal 
for either the church or science. He was generally es- 
teemed a wise prince, a title that would seem to infer nei- 
ther a generous nor a very just one. He smiled at the 


no 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


kindling enthusiasm of his wife, but continued to peruse 
a paper that had just been handed to him by a secretary. 

“ Your Highness feels as Dona Isabella of Castile ought 
to feel when the glory of God and the honor of her crown 
are in question,” added Beatriz de Cabrera, using that free- 
dom of speech that her royal mistress much encouraged in 
their more private intercourse. “ I would rather hear you 
utter the words of recall to this Colon, than again listen to 
the shouts of our last triumph over the Moor.” 

“ I know that thou lovest me, Beatriz ! ” exclaimed the 
queen : “ if there is not a true heart in that breast of thine, 
the fallen condition of man does not suffer the gem to ex- 
ist ! ” 

“ We all love and reverence Your Highness,” continued 
de St. Angel, “ and we wish naught but your glory. Fancy, 
Senora, the page of history open, and this great exploit of 
the reduction of the Moor succeeded by the still greater 
deed of a discovery of an easy and swift communication 
with the Indies, the spread of the church, and the flow of 
inexhaustible wealth into Spain ! This Colon cannot be 
supported by the colder and more selfish calculations of 
man, but his very enterprise seeks the more generous sup- 
port of her who can risk much for God’s glory and the 
good of the church.” 

“ Nay, Sefior de St. Angel, thou flatterest and offendest 
in the same breath.” 

“ It is an honest nature pouring out its disappointment, 
my beloved mistress, and a tongue that hath become bold 
through much zeal for Your Highnesses’ fame. Alas! alas ! 
should King Louis grant the terms we have declined, poor 
Spain will never lift her head again for very shame ! ” 

“ Art certain, St. Angel, that the Genoese hath gone for 
France?” suddenly demanded the king, in his sharp, au- 
thoritative voice. 

“ I have it, Your Highness, from his own mouth. Yes, 
yes, he is at this moment striving to forget our Castilian 
dialect, and endeavoring to suit his tongue to the language 
of the Frenchman. They are bigots and unreflecting dis- 
ciples of musty prejudices, Senora, that deny the theories 
of Colon. The old philosophers have reasoned in the same 
manner ; and though it may seem to the timid an audacious 
and even a heedless adventure 'to sail out into the broad 
Atlantic, had not the Portuguese done it he would never 
have found his islands. God’s truth ! it maketh my blood 
boil, when I bethink me of what these Lusitanians have 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


hi 


done, while we of Aragon and Castile have been tilting 
with the Infidels for a few valleys and mountains, and con- 
tending for a capital ! ” 

“ Sehor, you are forgetful of the honor of the sovereigns, 
as well as of the service of God,” interrupted the March- 
ioness of Moya, who had the tact to perceive that the re- 
ceiver-general was losing sight of his discretion, in the 
magnitude of his zeal. “ This conquest is one of the vic- 
tories of the church, and will add lustre to the two crowns 
in all future ages. The head of the church, himself, hath 
so recognized it, and all good Christians should acknowl- 
edge its character.” 

“ It is not that I undervalue this success, but that I con- 
sider the conquest that Colon is likely to achieve over so 
many millions, that I have thus spoken, Dona Beatriz.” 

The marchioness, whose spirit was as marked as her lpve 
for the queen, made a sharp reply, and, for a few minutes, 
she and Luis de St. Angel, with Alonzo de Quintanilla, 
maintained the discussion by themselves, while Isabella 
conversed apart, with her husband, no one presuming to 
meddle with their private conference. The queen was 
earnest, and evidently much excited, but Ferdinand main- 
tained his customary coolness and caution, though his 
manner was marked with that profound respect which the 
character of Isabella had early inspired, and which she suc- 
ceeded in maintaining throughout her married life. This 
was a picture familiar to the courtiers, one of the sover- 
eigns being as remarkable for his wily prudence, as was 
the other for her generous and sincere ardor, whenever 
impelled by a good motive. This divided discourse lasted 
half an hour, the queen occasionally pausing to listen to 
what was passing in the other group, and then recurring 
to her own arguments with her husband. 

At length Isabella left the side of Ferdinand, who coldly 
resumed the perusal of a paper, and she moved slowly 
toward the excited party, that was now unanimous and 
rather loud in the expression of its regrets — loud for even 
the indulgence of so gentle a mistress. Her intention to 
repress this ardor by her own presence, however, was mo- 
mentarily diverted from its object by a glimpse of the face 
of Mercedes, who sat alone, her work lying neglected in 
her lap, listening anxiously to the opinions that had drawn 
all her companions to the general circle. 

“Thoutakest no part in this warm discussion, child,” 
observed the queen, stopping before the chair of our he- 


1 12 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


roine, and gazing an instant into her eloquently expres- 
sive face. “ Hast thou lost all interest in Colon ?” 

“I speak not, Senora, because it becometh youth and 
ignorance to be modest ; but though silent, 1 feel none 
the less.” 

“ And what are thy feelings, daughter ? Dost thou, too, 
think the services of the Genoese cannot be bought at too 
high a price ? ” 

“Since Your Highness doth me this honor,” answered 
the lovely girl, the blood gradually flushing her pale face 
as she warmed with the subject — “I will not hesitate to 
speak. I do believe this great enterprise hath been offered 
to the sovereigns, as a rew r ard for all that they have done 
and endured for religion and the church. I do think that 
Colon hath been guided to this court by a divine hand, and 
by. a divine hand hath he been kept here, enduring the 
long servitude of seven years rather than abandon his ob- 
ject ; and I do think that this late appeal in his favor com- 
eth of a power and spirit that should prevail.” 

“Thou art an enthusiast, daughter, more especially in 
this cause,” returned the queen, smiling kindly on the blush- 
ing Mercedes. “ I am greatly moved by thy wishes to aid 
in this enterprise ! ” 

Thus spoke Isabella, at a moment when she had neither 
the leisure nor the thought to analyze her own feelings, 
which were influenced by a variety of motives, rather than 
by any single consideration. Even this passing touch of 
woman’s affections, however, contributed to give her mind 
a new bias, and she joined the group, which respectfully 
opened as she advanced, greatly disposed to yield to de 
St. Angel’s well-meant though somewhat intemperate en- 
treaties. Still she hesitated, for her wary husband had 
just been reminding her of the exhausted state of the two 
treasuries, and the impoverished condition in which both 
crowns had been left by the late war. 

“ Daughter-marchioness,” said Isabella, slightly answer- 
ing the reverences of the circle, “ dost thou still think this 
Colon expressly called of God, for the high purposes to 
which he pretendeth ? ” 

“ Senora, I sav not exactly that, though I believe the 
Genoese hath some such opinion of himself. But this 
much I do think — that heaven beareth in mind its faithful 
servitors, and when there is need of important actions, suit- 
able agents are chosen for the work. Now we do know 
that the church, at some day, is to prevail throughout the 


MERCEDES OF CAST/LE. 


IJ 3 


whole world ; and why may not this be the allotted time, 
as well as another ? God ordereth mysteriously, and the 
very adventure that so many of the learned have scolfed 
at, may be intended to hasten the victory of the church. 
We should remember, your highness, the humility with 
which this church commenced ; how few of the seemingly 
wise lent it their aid ; and the high path of glory to which 
it hath reached. This conquest of the Moor savoreth of a 
fulfilment of time, and his reign of seven centuries termi- 
nated, may merely be an opening for a more glorious 
future.” 

Isabella smiled upon her friend, for this was reasoning 
after her own secret thoughts ; but her greater require- 
ments rendered her more discriminating in her zeal, than 
was the case with the warm-hearted and ardent Mar- 
chioness. 

“ It is not safe to affix the seal of Providence to this or 
that enterprise, Daughter-Marchioness,” she answered, 
“ and the church alone may say what are intended for mir- 
acles, and what is left for human agencies. What sum 
doth Colon need, Senor de St. Angel, to carry on the ad- 
venture in a manner that will content him?” 

“ He asketh but two light caravels, my honored mistress, 
and three thousand crowns — a sum that many a young 
spendthrift would waste on his pleasures, in a few short 
weeks.” 

“It is not much, truly,” observed Isabella, who had been 
gradually kindling with the thoughts of the nobleness of 
the adventure; “but, small as it is, my Lord the King 
doubteth if our joint coffers can, at this moment, well bear 
the drain.” 

“Oh ! it were a pity that such an occasion to serve God, 
such an opportunity to increase the Christian sway, and to 
add to the glory of Spain, should be lost for this trifle of 
gold ! ” exclaimed Dona Beatriz. 

“ It would be, truly,” rejoined the queen, whose cheek 
now glowed with an enthusiasm little less obvious than 
that which shone so brightly in the countenance of the 
ardent Mercedes. “ Senor de St. Angel, the king cannot 
be prevailed on to enter into this affair, in behalf of Ara- 
gon ; but I take it on myself, as Queen of Castile, and, so 
far as it may properly advance human interests, for the 
benefit of my own much-beloved people. If the royal 
treasury be drained, my private jewels should suffice for 
that small sum, and I will freely pledge them as surety for 
8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


1 14 

the gold, rather than let this Colon depart without putting 
the truth of his theories to the proof. The result, truly, 
is of too great magnitude to admit of further discussion.” 

An exclamation of admiration and delight escaped 
those present, for it was not a usual thing for a princess 
to deprive herself of personal ornaments in order to 
advance either the interests of the church or those of 
her subjects. The receiver-general, however, soon re- 
moved all difficulties on the score of money, by saying 
that his coffers could advance the required sum, on the 
guarantee of the crown of Castile, and that the jewels so 
freely offerecf, might remain in the keeping of their royal 
owner. 

“ And now to recall Colon,” observed the queen, as soon 
as these preliminaries had been discussed. “ He hath al- 
ready departed, you say, and no time should be lost in 
acquainting him with this new resolution.” 

“ Your Highness hath here a willing courier, and one 
already equipped for the road, in the person of Don Luis 
de Bobadilla,” cried Alonzo de Quintanilla, whose eye had 
been drawn to a window by the trampling of a horse’s 
foot ; “ and the man who will more joyfully bear these 
tidings to the Genoese cannot be found in Santa Fe.” 

“ 'Tis scarce a service suited to one of his high station,” 
answered Isabella, doubtingly; “and yet we should con- 
sider every moment of delay a wrong to Colon ” 

“ Nay, Senora, spare not my nephew,” eagerly interposed 
Dona Beatriz ; “he is only too happy at being employed 
in doing Your Highness’ pleasure.” 

“ Let him, then, be summoned to our presence without 
another instant’s delay. I scarce seem to have decided, 
while the principal personage of the great adventure is 
journeying from the court.” 

A page was immediately despatched in quest of the 
young noble, and in a few minutes the footsteps of the 
latter were heard in the antechamber. Luis entered the 
presence, flushed, excited, and with feelings not a little 
angered, at the compelled departure of his new friend. 
He did not fail to impute the blame of this occurrence 
to those who had the power to prevent it ; and when 
his dark, expressive eye met the countenance of his 
sovereign, had it been in her power to read its meaning, 
she would have understood that he viewed her as a person 
who had thwarted his hopes on more than one occasion. 
Nevertheless, the influence of Dona Isabella’s pure char- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


IT 5 

acter and gentle manners was seldom forgotten by any who 
were permitted to approach her person ; and his address 
was respectful, if not warm. 

“It is Your Highness’ pleasure to command my pres- 
ence,” said the young man, as soon as he made his rever- 
ences to the queen. 

“ I thank you for this promptitude, Don Luis, having 
some need of your services. Can you tell us what hath 
befell the Sefior Christoval Colon, the Genoese navigator, 
with whom, they inform me, you have some intimacy ?” 

“ Forgive me, Senora, if aught unbecoming escape me ; 
but a full heart must be opened lest it break. The Geno- 
ese is about to shake the dust of Spain from his shoes, and, 
at this moment, is on his journey to another court, to 
proffer those services that this should never have rejected.” 

“It is plain, Don Luis, that all thy leisure time hath not 
been passed in courts,” returned the queen, smiling ; “but 
we have now service for thy roving propensities. Mount 
thy steed, and pursue the Senor Colon, with the tidings 
that his conditions will be granted, and a request that he 
will forthwith return. I pledge my. royal word, to send 
him forth on this enterprise, with as little delay as the 
necessary preparations and a suitable prudence will allow.” 

“ Senora ! Dona Isabella ! My gracious queen ! Do I 
hear aright ? ” 

“ As a sign of the fidelity of thy senses, Don Luis, here 
is the pledge of my hand.” 

This was said kindly, and the gracious manner in which 
the hand was offered, brought a gleam of hope to the mind 
of the loves, which it had not felt since he had been ap- 
prised that the queen’s good opinion was necessary to se- 
cure his happiness. Kneeling respectfully, he kissed the 
hand of his sovereign, after which, without changing his 
attitude, he desired to know if he should that instant de- 
part on the duty she had named. 

“ Rise, Don Luis, and lose not a moment to relieve the 
loaded heart of the Genoese — I might almost say, to re- 
lieve ours, also ; for, Daughter-Marchioness, since this 
holy enterprise hath broken on my mind with a sudden and 
almost miraculous light, it seemeth that a rnountain must 
lie on my breast until the Senor Christoval shall learn the 
truth ! ” 

Luis De Bobadilla did not wait a second bidding, but 
hurried from the presence, as fast as etiquette would allow, 
and the next minute he was in the saddle. At his appear- 


n6 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


ance, Mercedes had shrunk into the recess of a window, 
where she now, luckily, commanded a view of the court. 
As her lover gained his seat, he caught a glimpse of her 
form; and though the spurs were already in his charger’s 
flanks, the rein tightened, and the snorting steed was thrown 
suddenly on his haunches. So elastic are the feelings of 
youth, so deceptive and flattering the hopes of those who 
love, that the glances which were exchanged were those 
of mutual delight. Neither thought of all the desperate 
chances of the contemplated voyage ; of the probability of 
its want of success ; or of the many motives which might 
still induce the queen to withhold her consent. Mercedes 
awoke first from the short trance that succeeded, for, tak- 
ing the alarm at Luis’ indiscreet delay, she motioned him 
hurriedly to proceed. Again the rowels were buried in 
the flanks of the noble animal ; fire flashed beneath his 
armed heels, and, at the next minute, Don Luis de Boba- 
dilla had disappeared. 

In the meantime Columbus had pursued his melancholy 
journey across the Vega. He travelled slowly, and several 
times, even after his companion had left him, did he check 
his mule, and sit, with his head dropped upon his breast, 
lost in thought, the very picture of woe. The noble resig- 
nation that he manifested in public, nearly gave way in 
private, and he felt, indeed, how hard his disappointments 
were to be borne. In this desultory manner of travelling 
he had reached the celebrated pass of the Bridge of Pinos, 
the scene of many a sanguinary combat, when the sound 
of a horse’s hoofs first overtook his ear. Turning his head, 
he recognized Luis de Bobadilla in hot pursmt, with the 
flanks of his horse dyed in blood, and his breast white with 
foam. 

“ Joy ! joy ! a thousand times joy, Senor Colon,” shouted 
the eager youth, even before he was near enough to be 
distinctly heard. “ Blessed Maria be praised ! Joy! Senor, 
joy ! and naught but joy ! ” 

“This is unexpected, Don Luis,” exclaimed the naviga- 
tor. “What meaneth thy return ! ” 

Luis now attempted to explain his errand, but eagerness 
and the want of breath rendered his ideas confused and 
his utterance broken and imperfect. 

“And why should I return to a hesitating, cold, and un- 
decided court?” demanded Columbus. “Have I not 
wasted years in striving to urge it to its own good ? Look 
at these hairs, young Senor, and remember that I have lost 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


117 


a time that nearly equals all thy days, in striving uselessly 
to convince the rulers of this peninsula that rny project is 
founded 011 truth.” 

“At length you have succeeded. Isabella, the true- 
hearted and never-deceiving Queen of Castile, herself hath 
awoke to the importance of thy scheme, and pledges her 
royal word to favor it.” 

“ Is this true ? Can this be true, Don Luis ?” 

“ I am sent to you express, Senor, to urge your imme- 
diate return.” 

“ By whom, young Lord ? ” 

“ By Dona Isabella, my gracious mistress, through her 
own personal commands.” 

“ I cannot forego a single condition already offered.” 

“ It is not expected, Senor. Our excellent and generous 
mistress granteth all you ask, and hath nobly offered, as I 
learn, to pledge her private jewels, rather than that the 
enterprise fail.” 

Columbus was deeply touched with this information, and, 
removing his cap, he concealed his face with it for a mo- 
ment, as if ashamed to betray the weakness that came over 
him. When he uncovered his face it was radiant with 
happiness, and every doubt appeared to have vanished. 
Years of suffering were forgotten in that moment of joy, 
and he immediately signified his readiness to accompany 
the youth back to Santa Fe. 


CHAPTER IX. 

“ How beautiful is genius when combined 
With holiness ! Oh ! how divinely sweet 
The tones of earthly harp, whose cords are touch’d 
By the soft hand of Piety, and hung 
Upon Religion’s shrine, there vibrating 
With solemn music in the air of God !” — John Wilson. 


Columbus was received by his friends, Luis de St. Angel 
and Alonzo de Quintanilla, with a gratification they found 
it difficult to express. They were loud in their eulogiums 
on Isabella, and added to the assurances of Don Luis, such 
proofs of the seriousness of the queen’s intentions, as to 
remove all doubts from the mind of the navigator. He 
was then, without further delay, conducted to the presence. 

“ Senor Colon,” said Isabella, as the Genoese advanced 


n8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


and knelt at her feet, “you are welcome back again. All 
our misunderstandings are finally removed, and henceforth, 
I trust that we shall act cheerfully and unitedly to produce 
the same great end. Rise, Sefior, and receive this as a 
gage of my support and friendship.” 

Columbus saluted the offered hand, and arose from his 
knees. At that instant, there was probably no one present 
whose feelings were not raised to the buoyancy of hope ; 
for it was a peculiarity connected with the origin and exe- 
cution of this great enterprise, that, after having been 
urged for so long a period, amid sneers, and doubts, and 
ridicule, it was at first adopted with something very like 
enthusiasm. 

“Sefiora,” returned Columbus, whose grave aspect and 
noble mien contributed not a little to the advancement of 
his views — “ Sefiora, my heart thanks you for this kind- 
ness — so welcome because so little hoped for this morning 
— and God will reward it. We have great things in re- 
serve, and I devoutly wish we may all be found equal to 
our several duties. I hope my Lord the King will not 
withhold from my undertaking the light of his gracious 
countenance.” 

“You are a servitor of Castile, Sefior Colon, though lit- 
tle is attempted for even this kingdom, without the appro- 
bation and consent of the King of Aragon. Don Fernando 
hath been gained over to our side, though his greater cau- 
tion and superior wisdom have not as easily fallen into the 
measure, as woman’s faith and woman’s hopes.” 

“ I ask no higher wisdom, no truer faith than those of 
Isabella’s,” said the navigator, with a grave dignity that 
rendered the compliment so much the more acceptable, by 
giving it every appearance of sincerity. “ Her known pru- 
dence shall turn from me the derision of the light-minded 
and idle, and on her royal word I place all my hopes. 
Henceforth, and I trust forever, I am Your Highness’ sub- 
ject and servant.” 

The queen was deeply impressed with the air of lofty 
truth that elevated the thoughts and manners of the speak- 
er. Hitherto she had seen but little of the navigator, and 
never before under circumstances that enabled her so 
thoroughly to feel the influence of his air and deportment. 
Columbus had not the finish of manner that it is fancied 
courts only can bestow, and which it would be more just 
to refer to lives devoted to habits of pleasing ; but the 
character of the man shone through the exterior, and, in 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


119 


his case, all that artificial training could supply fell short 
of the noble aspect of nature, sustained by high aspirations. 
To a commanding person, and a gravity that was height- 
ened by the loftiness of his purposes, Columbus added the 
sober earnestness of a deeply-seated and an all-pervading 
enthusiasm, which threw the grace of truth and probity on 
what he said and did. No quality of his mind was more 
apparent than its sense of right, as right was then con- 
sidered in connection with the opinions of the age ; and it 
is a singular circumstance that the greatest adventure of 
modern times was thus confided by Providence, as it might 
be with especial objects, to the care of a sovereign and to 
the hands of an executive leader, who were equally dis- 
tinguished by the possession of so rare a characteristic. 

“ I thank you, Sefior, for this proof of confidence,” re- 
turned the queen, both surprised and gratified ; “and so 
long as God giveth me power to direct, and knowledge to 
decide, your interests as well as those of this long-cherish- 
ed scheme, shall be looked to. But we are not to exclude 
the king from our confederacy, since he hath been finally 
gained to our opinions, and no doubt now as anxiously 
looketh forward to success as we do ourselves.” 

Columbus bowed his acquiescence, and the conjugal af- 
fection of Isabella was satisfied with this concession to her 
husband’s character and motives ; for, while it was impos- 
sible that one so pure and ardent in the cause of virtue, 
and as disinterested as the queen, should not detect some 
of the selfishness of Ferdinand’s cautious policy, the feel- 
ings of a wife so far prevailed in her breast over the sagac- 
ity of the sovereign, as to leave her blind to faults that the 
enemies of Aragon were fond of dwelling on. All admit- 
ted the truth of Isabella, but Ferdinand had far less credit 
with his contemporaries, either on the score of faith or on 
that of motives. Still he might have been ranked among 
the most upright of the reigning princes of Europe, his 
faults being rendered more conspicuous, perhaps, from 
being necessarily placed in such close connection with, and 
in such vivid contrast to, the truer virtues of the queen. 
In short, these two sovereigns, so intimately united by per- 
sonal and political interests, merely exhibited on their 
thrones a picture that may be seen, at any moment, in all 
the inferior gradations of the social scale, in which the 
worldly views and meretricious motives of man serve as 
foils to the truer heart, sincerer character, and more chas- 
tened conduct of woman. 


120 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Don Fernando now appeared, and he joined in the dis- 
course in a manner to show that he considered himself 
fully committed to redeem the pledges given by his wife. 
The historians have told us that he had been won over by 
the intercessions of a favorite, though the better opinion 
would seem to be that deference for Isabella, whose pure 
earnestness in the cause of virtue often led him from his 
more selfish policy, lay at the bottom of his compliance. 
Whatever may have been the motive, however, it is cer- 
tain that the king never entered into the undertaking with 
the ardent, zealous endeavors to insure success, which 
from that moment distinguished the conduct of his 
royal consort. 

“ We have recovered our truant,” said Isabella, as her 
husband approached, her eyes lighting and her cheeks 
flushed with a pious enthusiasm, like those of Mercedes 
de Valverde, who was an entranced witness gf all that was 
passing. “We have recovered our truant, and there is not 
a moment of unnecessary delay to be permitted, until he 
shall be sent forth on this great voyage. Should he truly 
attain Cathay and the Indies, it will be a triumph to the 
church even exceeding this conquest of the territories of 
the Moor.” 

“I am pleased to see the Senor at Santa Fe, again,” 
courteously returned the king, “ and if he but do the half 
of that thou seemest to expect, we shall have reason to 
rejoice that our countenance hath not been withheld. He 
may not render the crown of Castile still more powerful, 
but he may so far enrich himself that, as a subject, he will 
have difficulty in finding the proper uses for his gold.” 

“There will always be a use for the gold of a Christian,” 
answered the navigator, “while the Infidel remaineth the 
master of the Holy Sepulchre.” 

“How is this!” exclaimed Ferdinand, in his quick, 
sharp voice : “ dost thou think, Senor, of a crusade, as 
well as of discovering new regions ?” 

“Such, Your Highness, it hath long been my hope, 
would be the first appropriation of the wealth that will, 
out of question, flow from the discovery of a new and 
near route to the Indies. Is it not a blot on Christendom 
that the Mussulman should be permitted to raise his pro- 
fane altars on the spot that Christ visited on earth ; where, 
indeed, he was born, and where his holy remains lay until 
his glorious resurrection ? This foul disgrace there are 
hearts and swords enough ready to wipe out ; all that is 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


121 


wanted is gold. If the first desire of my heart be to be- 
come the instrument of leading the way to the East, by a 
western and direct passage, the second is, to see the riches 
that will certainly follow such a discovery, devoted to the 
service of God, by rearing anew his altars and reviving 
his worship, in the land where he endured his agony and 
gave up the ghost for the sins of men.” 

Isabella smiled at the navigator’s enthusiasm, though, 
sooth to say, the sentiment found something of an echo 
in her pious bosom ; albeit the age of crusades appeared 
to have gone by. Not so exactly with Ferdinand. He 
smiled also, but no answering sentiment of holy zeal was 
awakened within him. He felt, on the contrary, a strong 
distrust of the wisdom of committing the care of even two 
insignificant caravels, and the fate of a sum as small as 
three thousand crowns, to a visionary, who had scarcely 
made a commencement in one extremely equivocal enter- 
prise, before his thoughts were running on the execution 
of another, that had baffled the united efforts and pious 
constancy of all Europe. To him, the discovery of a 
western passage to the Indies, and the repossession of the 
holy sepulchre, were results that were equally problemati- 
cal, and it would have been quite sufficient to incur his 
distrust, to believe in the practicability of either. Here, 
however, was a man who was about to embark in an at- 
tempt to execute the first, holding in reserve the last, as a 
consequence of success in the undertaking in which he 
was already engaged. 

There were a few minutes, during which Ferdinand 
seriously contemplated the defeat of the Genoese’s 
schemes, and had the discourse terminated here, it is un- 
certain how far his cool and calculating policy might have 
prevailed over the good faith, sincere integrity, and newly 
awakened enthusiasm of his wife. Fortunately, the con- 
versation had gone on while he was meditating on this 
subject, and when he rejoined the circle he found the 
queen and the navigator pursuing the subject with an 
earnestness that had entirely overlooked his momentary 
absence. 

“I shall show Your Highness all that she deman4eth,” 
continued Columbus, in answer to a question of the 
queen’s. “ It is my expectation to reach the territories of 
the Great Khan, the descendant of the monarch who was 
visited by the Polos, a century since ; at which time a 
strong desire to embrace the religion of Christ was mani- 


122 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


fested by many in that gorgeous court, the sovereign in- 
cluded. We are told in the sacred books of prophecy, 
that the day is to arrive when the whole earth will wor- 
ship the true and living God ; and that time, it would seem, 
from many signs and tokens that are visible to those who 
seek them, draweth near, and is full of hope to such as 
honor God and seek his glory. To bring all those vast re- 
gions in subjection to the church, needeth but a constant 
faith, sustained by the delegated agencies of the priest- 
hood, and the protecting hands of princes.” 

“ This hath a seeming probability,” observed the queen, 
“and Providence so guide us in this mighty undertaking, 
that it may come to pass ! Were those Polos pious mis- 
sionaries, SefLor ? ” 

“ They were but travellers ; men who sought their own 
advantage, while they were not altogether unmindful of 
the duties of religion. It may be well, Senora, first to 
plant the cross in the islands, and thence to spread the 
truth over the main land. Cipango, in particular, is a 
promising region for the commencement of the glorious 
work, which, no doubt, will proceed with all the swiftness 
of a miracle.” 

“ Is this Cipango known to produce spices, or aught that 
may serve to uphold a sinking treasury, and repay us for 
so much cost and risk ? ” asked the king, a little inop- 
portunely for the zeal of the two other interlocutors. 

Isabella looked pained, the prevailing trait in Ferdi- 
nand’s character often causing her to feel as affectionate 
wives are wont to feel when their husbands forget to 
think, act, or speak up to the level of their own warm- 
hearted and virtuous propensities ; but she suffered no 
other sign of the passing emotions to escape her. 

“According to the accounts of Marco Polo, Your High- 
ness,” answered Columbus, “earth hath no richer island. 
It aboundeth especially in gold ; nor are pearls and precious 
stones at all rare. But all that region is a quarter of in- 
finite wealth and benighted infidelity. Providence seemeth 
to have united the first with the last, as a reward to the 
Christian monarch who shall use his power to extend the 
sway .of the church. The sea, thereabouts, is covered with 
smaller islands, Marco telling us that no less than seven 
thousand four hundred and forty have been enumerated, 
not one of all which doth not produce some odoriferouj 
tree, or plant of delicious perfume. It is then, thither, 
gracious Lord and Lady, my honored sovereigns, that I 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


123 


propose to proceed at once, leaving all meaner objects, to 
exalt the two kingdoms and to serve the church. Should 
we reach Cipango in safety, as, by the blessing of God, 
acting on a zeal and faith that are not easily shaken, I 
trust we shall be able to do, in the course of two months’ 
diligent navigation, it will be my next purpose to pass 
over to the continent, and seek the Khan himself, in his 
kingdom of Cathay. The day that my foot touches the 
land of Asia will be a glorious day for Spain, and for all 
who have had a part in the accomplishment of so great an 
enterprise ! ” 

Ferdinand’s keen eyes were riveted on the navigator, as 
he thus betrayed his hopes with the quiet but earnest man- 
ner of deep enthusiasm, and he might have been at a loss, 
himself, just at that moment, to have analyzed his own 
feelings. The picture of wealth that Columbus had con- 
jured to his imagination, was as enticing, as his cold and 
calculating habits of distrust and caution rendered it 
questionable. Isabella heard only, or thought only, of the 
pious longings of her pure spirit for the conversion and 
salvation of the infidels, and thus each of the two sovereigns 
had a favorite impulse to bind him, or her, to the prose- 
cution of the voyage. 

After this, the conversation entered more into details, 
and the heads of the terms demanded by Columbus were 
gone over again, and approved of by those who were most 
interested in the matter. All thought of the archbishop 
and his objections was momentarily lost, and had the 
Genoese been a monarch, treating with monarchs, he could 
not have had more reason to be satisfied with the respect- 
ful manner in which his terms were heard. Even his pro- 
posal to receive one-eighth of the profits of this, and all 
future expeditions to the places he might discover, on 
condition of his advancing an equal proportion of the out- 
fits, was cheerfully acceded to ; making him, at once, a 
partner with the crown, in the risks and benefits of the 
many undertakings that it was hoped would follow from 
the success of this. 

Luis de St. Angel and Alonzo de Quintanilla quitted 
the royal presence, in company with Columbus. They 
saw him to his lodgings, and left him with a respect and 
cordiality of manner, that cheered a heart which had lately 
been so bruised and disappointed. As they walked away 
in company, the former, who, notwithstanding the liberal- 
ity of his views and his strong support of the navigator, 


124 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


was not apt to suppress his thoughts, opened a dialogue in 
the following mariner. 

“ By all the saints ! friend Alonzo,” he exclaimed, “ but 
this Colon carrieth it with a high hand among us, and in 
a way, sometimes, to make me doubt the prudence of our 
interference. He hath treated with the two sovereigns like 
a monarch, and like a monarch hath he carried his point ! ” 

“Who hath aided him more than thyself, friend Luis ?” 
returned Alonzo de Quintanilla ; “ for, without thy bold 
assault on Dona Isabella’s patience, the matter had been 
decided against this voyage, and the Genoese would still 
be on his way to the court of King Louis.” 

“ I regret it not ; the chance of keeping the Frenchman 
within modest bounds being worth a harder effort. Her 
Highness — Heaven and all the saints unite to bless her for 
her upright intentions and generous thoughts — will never 
regret the trifling cost, even though bootless, with so great 
an aim in view. But now the thing is done, I marvel, my- 
self, that a Queen of Castile and a King of Aragon should 
grant such conditions to an unknown and nameless sea- 
farer ; one that hath neither services, family, nor gold, to 
recommend him ! ” 

“ Hath he not had Luis de St. Angel of his side ? ” 

“That hath he,” returned the receiver-general, “and 
that right stoutly, too ; and for good and sufficient cause. 
I only marvel at our success, and at the manner in which 
this Colon hath borne himself in the affair. I much feared 
that the high price he set upon his services might ruin all 
our hopes.” 

“ And yet thou didst reason with the queen, as if thou 
thoughtst it insignificant, compared with the good that 
would come of the voyage.” 

“ Is there aught wonderful in this, my worthy friend ? 
We consume our means in efforts to obtain our ends, and, 
while suffering under the exhaustion, begin first to see the 
other side of the question. I am chiefly surprised at mine 
own success ! As for this Genoese, he is, truly, a most 
wonderful man, and, in my heart, I think him right in de- 
manding such high conditions. If he succeed, who so great 
as he ? and, if he fail, the conditions will do him no good, 
and Castile little harm.” 

“ I have remarked, Senor de St. Angel, that when grave 
men set a light value on themselves, the world is apt to 
take them at their word, though willing enough to laugh 
at the pretensions of triflers. After all, the high demands 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE, 


I2 5 


of Colon may have done him much service, since their 
Highnesses could not but feel that they were negotiating 
with one who had faith in his own projects.” 

“ It is much as thou sayest, Alonzo ; men often prizing 
us as we seem to prize ourselves, so long as we act at all 
up to the level of our pretensions. But there is sterling 
merit in this Colon to sustain him in all that he sayeth and 
doth ; wisdom of speech, dignity and gravity of mien, and 
nobleness of feeling and sentiment. Truly, I have listened 
to the man when he hath seemed inspired ! ” 

“Well, he hath now good occasion to manifest whether 
this inspiration be of the true quality or not,” returned 
the other. “ Of a verity, I often distrust the wisdom of 
our own conclusions.” 

In this manner did even these two zealous friends of 
Columbus discuss his character and chances of success; 
for, while they were among the most decided of his sup- 
porters, and had discovered the utmost readiness to up- 
hold him when his cause seemed hopeless, now that the 
means were likely to be afforded to allow him to demon- 
strate the justice of his opinions, doubts and misgivings 
beset their minds. Such is human nature. Opposition 
awakens our zeal, quickens our apprehension, stimulates 
our reason, and emboldens our opinions ; while, thrown 
back upon ourselves for the proofs of what we have been 
long stoutly maintaining under the pressure of resistance, 
we began to distrust the truth of our own theories and to 
dread the demonstrations of a failure. Even the first dis- 
ciples of the Son of God faltered most in their faith as his 
predictions were being realized ; and most reformers are 
never so dogmatical and certain as when battling for their 
principles, or so timid and wavering as when they are about 
to put their own long-cherished plans in execution. In all 
this we might see a wise provision of Providence, which 
gives us zeal to overcome difficulties, and prudence when 
caution and moderation become virtues rather than faults. 

Although Luis de St. Angel and his friend conversed 
thus freely together, however, they did not the less con- 
tinue true to their original feelings. Their doubts were 
transient and of little account ; and it was remarked of them, 
whenever they were in the presence of Columbus himself, 
that the calm, steady, but deeply seated enthusiasm of that 
extraordinary man, did not fail to carry with him the 
opinions, not only of these steady supporters, but those of 
most other listeners. 


126 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


CHAPTER X. 

“ Song is on thy hills : 

Oh, sweet and mournful melodies of Spain, 

That lull’d my boyhood, how your memory thrills 
The exile’s heart with sudden-wakening pain.” 

— The Forest Sanctuary. 

From the moment that Isabella pledged her royal word 
to support Columbus in his great design, all reasonable 
doubts of the sailing of the expedition ceased, though few 
anticipated any results of importance. Of so much great- 
er magnitude, indeed, did the conquest of the kingdom of 
Granada appear at that instant, than any probable conse- 
quences which could follow from this novel enterprise, 
that the latter was almost overlooked in the all-absorbing 
interest that was connected with the former. 

There was one youthful and generous heart, however, 
all of whose hopes were concentrated in the success of the 
great voyage. It is scarcely necessary to add, we mean 
that of Mercedes de Valverde. She had watched the re- 
cent events as they occurred, with an intensity of ex- 
pectation that perhaps none but the youthful, fervent, in- 
experienced, and uncorrupted, can feel ; and now that all 
her hopes were about to be realized, a tender and generous 
joy diffused itself over her whole moral system, in away to 
render her happiness, for a time, even blissful. Although 
she loved so truly and with so much feminine devoted- 
ness, nature had endowed this warm-hearted young creat- 
ure with a sagacity and readiness of apprehension, which, 
when quickened by the sentiments that are so apt to con- 
centrate all the energies of her sex, showed her the pro- 
priety of the distrust of the queen and her guardian, and 
fully justified their hesitation in her eyes, which were 
rather charmed than blinded by the ascendency of her 
passion. She knew too well what was due to her virgin 
fame, her high expectations, her great name, and her ele- 
vated position near the person, and in the immediate con- 
fidence of Isabella, even to wish her hand unworthily be- 
stowed ; and while she deferred, with the dignity and 
discretion of birth and female decorum, to all that opinion 
and prudence could have a right to ask of a noble maiden, 
she confided in her lover’s power to justify her choice with 
the boundless confidence of a woman. Her aunt had 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


127 


taught her to believe that this voyage of the Genoese was 
likely to lead to great events, and her religious enthu- 
siasm, like that of the queen’s, led her to expect most of 
that which she so fervently wished. 

During the time it was known to those near the person 
of Isabella, that the conditions between the sovereigns and 
the navigators were being reduced to writing and were re- 
ceiving the necessary forms, Luis neither sought an inter- 
view with his mistress, nor was accidentally favored in that 
way ; but, no sooner was it understood Columbus had ef- 
fected all that he deemed necessary in this particular, 
and had quitted the court for the coast, than the young 
man threw himself, at once, on the generosity of his 
aunt, beseeching her to favor his views now that he was 
about to leave Spain on an adventure that most regarded 
as desperate. All he asked was a pledge of being well 
received by his mistress and her friends, on his return suc- 
cessful. 

“ I see that thou hast taken a lesson from this new 
master of thine,” answered the high-souled but kind- 
hearted Beatriz, smiling — “ and would fain have thy terms 
also. But thou knowest, Luis, that Mercedes de Valverde 
is no peasant’s child to be lightly cared for, but that she 
cometh of the noblest blood of Spain, having had a Guz- 
man for a mother, and Mendozas out of number among 
her kinsmen. She is, moreover, one of the richest heir- 
esses of Castile ; and it would ill become her guardian to 
forget her watchfulness, under such circumstances, in be- 
half of one of the idle wanderers of Christendom, simply 
because he happenethto be her own beloved brother’s son.” 

“And if the Dona Mercedes be all thou sayest, seflora — 
and thou hast not even touched upon her highest claims to 
merit, her heart, her beauty, her truth, and her thousand 
virtues — but if she be all that thou sayest, Dona Beatriz, is 
a Bobadilla unworthy of her ? ” 

“ How ! if she be, morever, all thou sayest too, Don 
Luis ! The heart, the truth, and the thousand virtues! Me- 
thinks a shorter catalogue might content one who is him- 
self so great a rover, lest some of these qualities be lost in 
his many journeys ! ” 

Luis laughed, in spite of himself, at the affected serious- 
ness of his aunt ; and then successfully endeavoring to re- 
press a little resentment that her language awakened, he 
answered in a way to do no discredit to a well-established 
reputation for good-nature. 


128 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ I cannot call thee ‘ Daughter-Marchioness,’ in imita- 
tion of Her Highness,” he answered, with a*coaxing smile, 
so like that her deceased brother was wont to use when 
disposed to wheedle her out of some concession, that it 
fairly caused Dona Beatriz to start— “ but I can say with 
more truth, ‘ Aunt-Marchioness, ’ — and a very dear aunt, 
too — wilt thou visit a little youthful indiscretion so se- 
verely ? I had hoped, now Colon was about to set forth, 
that all was forgotten in the noble and common end we 
have in view.” 

“Luis,” returned the aunt, regarding her nephew with 
the severe resolution that was so often exhibited in her 
acts as well as in her words, “dost think that a mere dis- 
play of courage will prove sufficient to win Mercedes from 
me ? to put to sleep the vigilance of her friends ? to gain 
the approbation of her guardian ? Learn, too confident 
boy, that Mercedes de Guzman was the companion of my 
childhood ; my warmest, dearest friend, next to Her High- 
ness ; and that she put all faith in my disposition to do 
full justice by her child. She died by slow degrees, and 
the fate of the orphan was often discussed between us. 
That she could ever become the wife of any but a Christian 
noble, neither of us imagined possible ; but there are so 
many different characters under the same outward profes- 
sions, that names deceived us not. I do believe that poor 
woman bethought her more of her child’s future worldly 
fortunes than of her own sins, and that she prayed oftener 
for the happy conclusion of the first than for the pardon of 
the last ! Thou knowest little of the strength of a mother’s 
love, Luis, and canst not understand all the doubts that 
beset the heart, when the parent is compelled to leave a 
tender plant, like Mercedes, to the cold nursing of a selfish 
and unfeeling world.” 

“ I can readily fancy the mother of my love fitted for 
heaven without the usual interpositions of masses and 
paters, Dona Beatriz ; but have aunts no consideration for 
nephews, as well as mothers for children ? ” 

“The tie is close and strong, my child, and yet is it not 
parental ; nor art thou a sensitive, true-hearted, enthusias- 
tic girl, filled with the confidence of thy purity, and over- 
flowing with the affections that, in the end, make mothers 
what they are.” 

“ By San Iago ! and am I not the very youth to render 
such a creature happy ? I, too, am sensitive — too much so, 
in sooth, for my own peace ; I, too, am true-hearted, as is 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


129 


seen by my having had but this one love, when I might 
have had fifty ; and if I am not exactly overflowing with 
the confidence of purity, I have the confidence of youth, 
health, strength, and courage, which is quite as useful for 
a cavalier ; and I have abundance of the affection that 
makes good fathers, which is all that can reasonably be 
asked of a man.” 

“ Thou, then, thinkest thyself, truant, every way worthy 
to be the husband of Mercedes de Valverde?” 

“ Nay, aunt of mine, thou hast a searching way with thy 
questions ! Who is, or can be, exactly worthy of so much 
excellence ? I may not be altogether deserving of her, but 
then again, I am not altogether undeserving of her. I am 
quite as noble, nearly as well endowed with estates, of 
suitable years, of fitting address as a knight, and love her 
better than I love my own soul. Methinks the last should 
count for something, since he that lovetli devotedly, will 
surely strive to render its object happy.” 

“ Thou art a silly, inexperienced boy, with a most excel- 
lent heart, a happy, careless disposition, and a head that 
was made to hold better thoughts than commonly reside 
there !” exclaimed the aunt, giving way to an impulse of 
natural feeling, even while she frowned on her nephew’s 
folly. “ But, hear me, and for once think gravely, and 
reflect on what I say. I have told thee of the mother of 
Mercedes, of her dying doubts, her anxiety, and of her 
confidence in me. Her Highness and I were alone with 
her, 'the morning of the day that her spirit took its flight 
to heaven ; and then she poured out all her feelings, in a 
way that has left on us both an impression that can never 
cease, while aught can be done by either for the security 
of the daughter’s happiness. Thou hast thought the queen 
unkind. I know not but, in thy intemperate speech, thou 
hast dared to charge Her Highness with carrying her care for 
her subjects’ well-being beyond a sovereign’s rights ” 

“Nay, Dona Beatriz,” hastily interrupted Luis, “herein 
thou dost me great injustice. I may have felt — no doubt 
I have keenly, bitterly felt, the consequences of Dona 
Isabella’s distrust of my constancy ; but never has rebel 
thought of mine even presumed to doubt her right to 
command all our services, as well as all our lives. This is 
due to her sacred authority from all ; but we, who so well 
know the heart and motives of the queen, also know that 
she doth naught from caprice or a desire to rule ; while 
she doth so much from affection to her people.” 

9 


130 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


As Don Luis uttered this with an earnest look, and feat- 
ures flushed with sincerity, it was impossible not to see 
that he meant as much as he said. If men considered the 
consequences that often attend their lightest words, less 
levity of speech would be used, and the office of tale-bearer, 
the meanest station in the whole catalogue of social rank, 
would become extinct for want of occupation. Few cared 
less, or thought less, about the consequences of what they 
uttered, than Luis de Bobadilla ; and yet this hasty but 
sincere reply did him good service with more than one of 
those who exercised a material influence over his fortunes. 
The honest praise of the queen went directly to the heart 
of the Marchioness, who rather idolized than loved her 
royal mistress, the long and close intimacy that had ex- 
isted between them having made her thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the pure and almost holy character of 
Isabella ; and when she repeated the words of her nephew 
to the latter, her own well-established reputation for truth 
caused them to be implicitly believed. Whatever may. be 
the correctness of our views in general, one of the most 
certain ways to the feelings, is the assurance of being 
respected and esteemed ; while, of all the divine mandates, 
the most difficult to find obedience is that which tells us to 
“ love those who hate ” us. Isabella, notwithstanding her 
high destiny and lofty qualities, was thoroughly a woman ; 
and wherrshe discovered that, in spite of her own coldness 
to the youth, he really entertained so much profound 
deference for her character, and appreciated her feelings 
and motives in a way that conscience told her she merited, 
she was much better disposed to look at his peculiar faults 
with indulgence, and to ascribe that to mere animal spirits, 
which, under less favorable auspices, might possibly have 
been mistaken for ignoble propensities. 

But this is a little anticipating events. The first con- 
sequence of Luis’ speech was a milder expression in the 
countenance of his aunt, and a disposition to consider his 
entreaties to be admitted to a private interview with Mer- 
cedes, with more indulgence. 

“ I may have done thee injustice in this, Luis,” resumed 
Dona Beatriz, betraying in her manner the sudden change 
of feeling mentioned * “for I do think thee conscious of 
thy duty to Her Highness, and of the almost heavenly 
sense of justice that reigneth in her heart, and through 
that heart, in Castile. Thou hast not lost in my esteem 
by thus exhibiting thy respect and love for the queen, for 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


* 3 * 

it is impossible to have any regard for female virtue, and 
not to manifest it to its best representative.” 

“ Do I not, also, dear aunt, in my attachment to thy 
ward ? Is not my very choice, in some sort, a pledge of 
the truth and justice of my feelings in these particulars?” 

“Ah! Luis de Bobadilla, it is not difficult to teach the 
heart to lean toward the richest and the noblest, when she 
happeneth also to be the fairest, maiden of Spain ! ” 

“And am I a hypocrite, Marchioness? Dost thou ac- 
cuse the son of thy brother of being a feigner of that 
which he doth not feel ? — one influenced by so mean a 
passion as the iove of gold and of lands ? ” 

“ Foreign lands, heedless boy,” returned the aunt, smil- 
ing, “ but not of others’ lands. No, Luis, none that know 
thee will accuse thee of hypocrisy. We believe in the truth 
and ardor of thy attachment, and it is for that very cause 
that we most distrust thy passion.” 

“ How ! are feigned feelings of more repute with the 
queen and thyself, than real feelings ? A spurious and 
fancied love, than the honest, downright, manly pas- 
sion ? ” 

“ It is this genuine feeling, this honest, downright, manly 
passion, as thou termest it, which is most apt to awaken 
sympathy in the tender bosom of a young girl. There is 
no truer touch-stone, by which to try the faithfulness of 
feelings, than the heart, when the head is not turned by 
vanity ; and the more unquestionable the passion, the 
easier is it for its subject to make the discovery. Two drops 
of water do not glide together more naturally than two 
hearts, nephew, when there is a strong affinity between 
them. Didst thou not really love Mercedes, as my near 
and dear relative, thou mightst laugh and sing in her 
company at all times that should be suitable for the dig- 
nity of a maiden, and it would not cause me an uneasy 
moment.” 

“ I am thy near and dear relative, aunt of mine, with a 
miracle ! and yet it is more difficult for me to get a sight 
of thy ward ” 

“ Who is the especial care of the Queen of Castile.” 

“Well, be it so; and why should a Bobadilla be pro- 
scribed by even a Queen of Castile ? ” 

Luis then had recourse to his most persuasive powers, 
and, improving the little advantage he had gained, by dint 
of coaxing and teasing he so far prevailed on Dona Bea- 
trix as to obtain a promise that she would apply to the 


132 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


queen for permission to grant him one private interview 
with Mercedes. We say the queen, since Isabella, dis- 
trusting the influence of blood, had cautioned the Mar- 
chioness on this subject ; and the prudence of letting the 
young people see each other as little as possible, had been 
fully settled between them. It was in redeeming this 
promise, that the aunt related the substance of the con- 
versation that has just been given, and mentioned to her 
royal mistress the state of her nephew’s feelings as re- 
spected herself. The effect of such information was 
necessarily favorable to the young man’s views, and one 
of its first fruits was the desired permission *to have the in- 
terview he sought. 

“They are not sovereigns,” remarked the queen, with a 
smile that the favorite could see was melancholy, though 
it surpassed her means of penetration to say whether it 
proceeded from a really saddened feeling, or whether it 
were merely the manner in which the mind is apt to glance 
backward at emotions that it is known can never be again 
awakened in our bosoms; — “they are not sovereigns, 
Daughter-Marchioness, to woo by proxy, and wed as 
strangers. It may not be wise to suffer the intercourse to 
become too common, but it were cruel to deny the youth, 
as he is about to depart on an enterprise of so doubtful 
issue, one opportunity to declare his passion and to make 
his protestations of constancy. If thy ward hath, in truth, 
any tenderness for him, the recollection of this interview 
will soothe many a weary hour while Don Luis is away.” 

“And add fuel to the flame,” returned Dona Beatriz, 
pointedly. 

“ We know not that, my good Beatriz, since, the heart 
being softened by the power of God to a sense of its re- 
ligious duties, may not the same kind hand direct it and 
shield it in the indulgence of its more worldly feelings ? 
Mercedes will never forget her duty, and, the imagination 
feeding itself, it may not be the wisest course to leave that 
of an enthusiast like our young charge, so entirely to its 
own pictures. Realities are often less hazardous than the 
creatures of the fancy. Then, thy nephew will not be a 
loser by the occasion, for, by keeping constantly in view 
the object he now seemeth to pursue so earnestly, he will 
the more endeavor to deserve success.” 

“ I much fear, Senora, that the best conclusions are not 
to be depended on in an affair that touches the wayward- 
ness of the feelings.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


T 33 


“ Perhaps not, Beatriz ; and yet I do not see that we 
can well deny this interview, now that Don Luis is so near 
departure. Tell him I accord him that which he so de- 
sireth, and let him bear in mind that a grandee should 
never quit Castile without presenting himself before his 
sovereign.” 

“ I fear, Your Highness, ’’returned the Marchioness, laugh- 
ing, “that Don Luis will feel this last command, however 
gracious and kind in fact, as a strong rebuke, since he 
hath more than once done this already, without even pre- 
senting himself before his own aunt ! ” 

“On those occasions he w T ent idly, and without consider- 
ation ; but he is now engaged in an honorable and noble 
enterprise, and we will make it apparent to him that all 
feel the difference.” 

The conversation now’ changed, it being understood that 
the request of the young man was to be granted. Isabella 
had, in this instance, departed from a law she had laid 
down for her own government, under the influence of her 
womanly feelings, which often caused her to forget that 
she was a queen, when no very grave duties existed to 
keep alive the recollection ; for it would have been diffi- 
cult to decide in which light this pure-minded and excel- 
lent female most merited the esteem of mankind — in her 
high character as a just and conscientious sovereign, or 
when she acted more directly under the gentler impulses 
of her sex. As for her friend, she was perhaps more 
tenacious of doing what she conceived to be her duty, by 
her ward, than the queen herself ; since, with a greater 
responsibilty, she was exposed to the suspicion of acting 
with a design to increase the wealth and to strengthen the 
connections of her own family. Still, the wishes of Isa- 
bella were laws to the Marchioness of Moya, and she 
sought an early opportunity to acquaint her ward with her 
intention to allow Don Luis, for once, to plead his own 
cause with his mistress, before he departed on his perilous 
and mysterious enterprise. 

Our heroine received this intelligence with the mingled 
sensations of apprehension, delight, misgivings, and joy, 
that are so apt to beset the female heart, in the freshness 
of its affections, when once brought in subjection to the 
master-passion. She had never thought it possible Luis 
would sail on an expedition like that in which he was en- 
gaged, without endeavoring to see her alone ; but, now she 
was assured that both the queen and her guardian acquh 


x 34 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


esed in his being admitted, she almost regretted their com- 
pliance. These contradictory emotions, however, soon 
subsided in the tender melancholy that gradually drew 
around her manner, as the hour for the departure ap- 
proached. Nor were her feelings on the subject of Luis’ 
ready enlistment in the expedition, more consistent. At 
times she exulted in her lover’s resolution, and in his manly 
devotion to glory and the good of the Church ; remem- 
bering with pride that, of all the high nobility of Castile, 
he alone ventured life and credit with the Genoese ; and 
then, again, tormenting doubts came over her, as she 
feared that the love of roving, and of adventure, was quite 
as active in his heart, as love of herself. But in all this 
there was nothing new. The more pure and ingenuous 
the feelings of those who truly submit to the influence of 
this passion, the more keenly alive aretheii distrusts apt to 
be, and the more tormenting their misgivings of themselves. 

Her mind made up, Dona Beatriz acted fairly by the 
young people. As soon as Luis was admitted to her own 
presence, on the appointed morning, she told him that he 
was expected by Mercedes, who was waiting his appear- 
ance in the usual reception-room. Scarce giving himself 
time to kiss the hand of his aunt, and to make those other 
demonstrations of respect that the customs of the age re- 
quired from the young to their seniors — more especially 
when there existed between them a tie of blood as close as 
that which united the Marchioness of Moya with the 
Conde de Llera — the young man bounded away, and was 
soon in the presence of his mistress. As Mercedes was 
prepared for the interview, she betrayed the feeling of the 
moment merely by a heightened color, and the greater lus- 
tre of eyes that were always bright, though often so soft 
and melancholy. 

“Luis!” escaped from her, and then, as if ashamed of 
the emotion betrayed in the very tones of her voice, she 
withdrew the foot that had involuntarily advanced to meet 
him, even while she kept a hand extended in friendly con- 
fidence. 

“Mercedes ! ” and the hand was withdrawn to put a stop 
to the kisses with which it was covered. “ Thou art harder 
to be seen, of late, than it will be to discover this Ca- 
thay of the Genoese ; for, between the Dona Isabella and 
Doha Beatriz, never was paradise watched more closely by 
guardian angels, than thy person is watched by thy pro- 
tectors.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


135 


“ And can it be necessary, Luis, when thou art the dan- 
ger apprehended ? ” 

“ Do they think I shall carry thee off, like some Moorish 
girl borne away on the crupper of a Christian knight’s sad- 
dle, and place thee in the caravel of Colon, that we may 
go in search of Prestor John and the Great Khan, in com- 
pany ?” 

“ They may think thee capable of this act of madness, 
dear Luis, but they will hardly suspect me.” 

“No, thou art truly a model of prudence in all matters 
that require feeling for thy lover.” 

“ Luis ! ” exclaimed the girl, again ; and this time unbid- 
den tears started to her eyes. 

“ Forgive me, Mercedes — dearest, dearest Mercedes; but 
this delay and all these coldly cruel precautions make me 
forget myself. Am I a needy and unknown adventurer, 
that they treat me thus, instead of being a noble Castil- 
ian knight ! ” 

“ Thou forgettest, Luis, that noble Castilian maidens are 
not wont to see even noble Castilian cavaliers alone, and, 
but for the gracious condescension of Her Highness, and 
the indulgence of my guardian, who happeneth to be thy 
aunt, this interview could not take place.” 

“Alone! And dost thou call this being alone, or any 
excessive favor, on the part of Her Highness, when thou 
seest that we are watched by the eye if not by the ear ! I 
fear to speak above my breath, lest the sounds should dis- 
turb that venerable lady’s meditations ! ” 

As Luis de Bobadilla uttered this he glanced his eye at 
the figure of the duena of his mistress, whose person was 
visible through an open door in an adjoining room, where 
the good woman sat intently occupied in reading certain 
homilies. 

“ Dost mean my poor Pepita,” answered Mercedes, 
laughing, for the presence of her attendant, to whom she 
had been accustomed from infancy, was no more restraint 
on her own innocent thoughts and words than would have 
proved a reduplication of herself, had such a thing been 
possible. “ Many have been her protestations against this 
meeting, which she insists is contrary to all rule among 
noble ladies, and which, she says, would never have been 
accorded by my poor, sainted mother were she still living.” 

“ Ay, she hath a look that is sufficient of itself to set 
every generous mind a-tilting with her. One can see envy of 
thy beauty and youth in every wrinkle of her unamiable face 


i 3 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“Then little dost thou know my excellent Pepita, who 
envieth nothing, and who hath but one marked weakness, 
and that is, too much affection, and too much indulgence 
for myself.” 

“ I detest a duena ; ay, as I detest an Infidel !” 

“Senor,” said Pepita, whose vigilant ears, notwithstand- 
ing her book and the homilies, heard all that passed, “ this 
is a common feeling among youthful cavaliers, I fear ; but 
they tell me that the very duefia who is so displeasing to 
the lover getteth to.be a grateful object in time with the 
husband. As my features and wrinkles, however, are so 
disagreeable to you, and no doubt cause you pain, by clos- 
ing this door the sight will be shut out, as, indeed, will be 
the sound of my unpleasant cough, and of your own pro- 
testations of love, Sefior Knight.” 

This was said in much better language than was com- 
monly used by women of the duena’s class, and with a 
good-nature that seemed indomitable, it being completely 
undisturbed by Luis’ petulant remarks. 

“Thou shalt not close the door, Pepita,” cried Mer- 
cedes, blushing rosy red, and springing forward to inter- 
pose her own hand against the act. “ What is there that 
the Conde de Llera can have to say to one like me that 
thou mayest not hear ? ” 

“ Nay, dear child, the noble cavalier is about to talk of 
love ! ” 

“And is it thou, with whom the language of affection is 
so uncommon, that it frighteneth thee ! Hath thy dis- 
course been of aught but love since thou hast known and 
cared for me ? ” 

“It augureth badly for thy suit, Senor,” said Pepita, 
smiling, while she suspended the movement of the hand 
that was about to close the door, “ if Doha Mercedes 
thinketh of your love as she thinketh of mine. Surely, 
child, thou dost not fancy me a gay, gallant young noble, 
come to pour out his soul at thy feet, and mistakest my 
simple words of affection for such as will be likely to flow 
from the honeyed tongue of a Bobadilla, bent on gaining 
his suit with the fairest maiden of Castile ?” 

Mercedes shrunk back, for, though innocent as purity 
itself, her heart taught her the difference between the lan- 
guage of her lover and the language of her nurse, even 
when each most expressed affection. Her hand released 
its hold of the wood and unconsciously was laid, with its 
pretty fellow, on her crimsoned face. Pepita profited by 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


137 


her advantage and closed the door. A smile of triumph 
gleamed on the handsome features of Luis, and, after he 
had forced his mistress by a gentle compulsion, to resume 
the seat from which she had risen to meet him, he threw 
himself on a stool at her feet, and stretching out his well- 
turned limbs in an easy attitude, so as to allow himself to 
gaze into the beautiful face that he had set up, like an idol, 
before him, he renewed the discourse. 

“ This is a paragon of duefias,” he cried, “and I might 
have known that none of the ill-tempered, unreasonable 
school of such beings, would be tolerated near thy person. 
This Pepita is a jewel, and she may consider herself estab- 
lished in her office for life, if, by the cunning of this Genoese, 
mine own resolution, the queen’s repentance, and thy gen- 
tle favor, I ever prove so lucky as to become thy husband.” 

“ Thou forgettest, Luis,” answered Mercedes, trembling 
even while she laughed at her own conceit, “ that if the 
husband esteemeth the duefia the lover could not endure, 
that the lover may esteem the duena that the husband may 
be unwilling to abide.” 

“ Peste ! these are crooked matters, and ill-suited to the 
straight-forward philosophy of Luis de Bobadilla. There 
is one thing only, which I can, or do, pretend to know, out 
of any controversy, and that I am ready to maintain in the 
face of all the doctors of Salamanca, or all the chivalry of 
Christendom, that of the Infidel included ; which is, that 
thou art the fairesf, sweetest, best, most virtuous, and in 
all things the most winning maiden of Spain, and that no 
other living knight so loveth and honoreth his mistress as 
I love and honor thee ! ” 

The language of admiration is ever soothing to female 
ears, and Mercedes, giving to the words of the youth an 
impression of sincerity that his manner fully warranted, 
forgot the duena and her little interruption, in the delight 
of listening to declarations that were so grateful to her 
affections. Still, the coyness of her sex, and the recent 
date of their mutual confidence, rendered her answer less 
open than it might otherwise have been. 

“ I am told,” she said, “ that you young cavaliers, who 
pant for occasions to show your skill and courage with the 
lance and in the tourney, are ever making some such pro- 
testations in favor of this or that noble maiden, in order to 
provoke others like themselves to make counter assertions, 
that they may show their prowess as knights, and gain 
high names for gallantry.” 1 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“This cometh of being so much shut up in Doha Bea- 
triz’s private rooms, lest some bold Spanish eyes should 
look profanely on thy beauty, Mercedes. We are not in 
the age of the errants and the troubadours, when men 
committed a thousand follies that they might be thought 
weaker even than nature had made them. In that age, 
your knights discoursed largely of love, but in our own they 
feel it. In sooth, I think this savoreth of some of the pro- 
found morality of Pepita ! ” 

“ Say naught against Pepita, Luis, who hath much be- 
friended thee to-day, else would thy tongue, and thine eyes 
too, be under the restraint of her presence. But that which 
thou termest the morality of the good duena, is, in truth, 
the morality of the excellent and most noble Dona Beatriz 
de Cabrera, Marchioness of Moya, who was born a lady of 
the House of Bobadilla, I believe.” 

“ Well, well, I dare to say there is no great difference 
between the lessons of a duchess and the lessons of a duena 
in the privacy of the closet, when there is one like thee, 
beautiful, and rich, and virtuous, to guard. They say you 
young maidens are told that we cavaliers are so many 
ogres, and that the only way to reach paradise is to think 
naught of us but evil, and then, when some suitable mar- 
riage hath been decided on, the poor young creature is 
suddenly alarmed by an order to come forth and be wed- 
ded to one of these very monsters.” 

“And, in this mode, hast thou been treated ! It would 
seem that much pains are taken to make the young of 
the two sexes think ill of each other. But, Luis, this is 
pure idleness, and we waste in it most precious moments ; 
moments that may never return. How go matters with 
Colon — and when is he like to quit the court ? ” 

“ He hath already departed ; for, having obtained all he 
hath sought of the queen, he quitted Santa Fe, with the 
royal authority to sustain him in the fullest manner. If thou 
hearest aught of one Pedro de Munos, or Pero Gutierrez, 
at the court of Cathay, thou wilt know on whose shoul- 
ders to lay his follies.” 

“ I would rather that thou shouldst undertake this voy- 
age in thine own name, Luis, than under a feigned appel- 
lation. Concealments of this nature are seldom wise, and 
surely thou dost not undertake the enterprise ” — the tell- 
tale blood stole to the cheeks of Mercedes as she proceed- 
ed — “with a motive that need bring shame.” 

“ ’Tis the wish of my aunt ; as for myself, I would put 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*39 

thy favor in my casque, thy emblem on my shield, and let 
it be known, far and near, that Luis of Llera sought the 
court of Cathay, with the intent to defy its chivalry to pro- 
duce as fair or as virtuous a maiden as thyself.” 

“ We are not in the age of errants, sir knight, but in one 
of reason and truth,” returned Mercedes, laughing, though 
every syllable that proved the earnest and entire devotion 
of the young man went directly to her heart, strengthening 
his hold on it, and increasing the flame that burnt within, 
by adding the fuel that was most adapted to that purpose 
— “ we are not in the age of knights-errants, Don Luis de 
Bobadilla, as thou thyself hast just affirmed ; but one in 
which even the lover is reflecting, and as apt to discover 
the faults of his lady-love as to dwell upon her perfections. 
I look for better things from thee, than to hear that thou 
hast ridden through the highways of Cathay, defying to 
combat and seeking giants, in order to exalt my beauty, and 
tempting others to decry it, if it were only out of pure op- 
position to thy idle boastings. Ah ! Luis, thou art now 
engaged in a mcst truly noble enterprise, one that will join 
thy name to those of the applauded of men, and which will 
form thy pride and exultation in after-life, when the eyes 
of us both shall be dimmed by age, and we shall look back 
with longings to discover aught of which to be proud.” 

It was thrice pleasant to the youth to hear his mistress, 
in the innocence of her heart, and in the fulness of her 
feelings, thus uniting his fate with her own ; and when she 
ceased speaking, all unconscious how much might be in- 
directly implied from her words, he still listened intently, 
as if he would fain hear the sounds after they had died on 
his ear. 

“ What enterprise can be nobler, more worthy to awaken 
all my resolution, than to win thy hand ! ” he exclaimed, 
after a short pause. “ I fbllow Colon with no other object ; 
share his chances, to remove the objections of Dona Isa- 
bella ; and will accompany him to the earth’s end, rather 
than that thy choice should be dishonored. Thou art my 
Great Khan, beloved Mercedes, and thy smiles and affec- 
tion are the only Cathay I seek.” 

“ Say not so, dear Luis, for thou knowest not the nobility 
of thine own soul, nor the generosity of thine own inten- 
tions. This is a stupendous project of Colon’s, and much 
as I rejoice that he hath had the imagination to conceive 
it, and the heart to undertake it in his own person, on ac' 
count of the good it must produce to the heathen, and the 


140 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


manner in which it will necessarily redound to the glory of 
God, still I fear that I am equally gladdened with the rec- 
ollection that thy name will be forever associated with the 
great achievement, and thy detractors put to shame with 
the resolution and spirit with which so noble an end will 
have been attained.” 

“ This is nothing but truth, Mercedes, should we reach 
the Indies ; but, should the saints desert us, and our pro- 
ject fail, I fear that even thou wouldst be ashamed to con- 
fess an interest in an unfortunate adventurer who hath 
returned without success, and thereby made himself the 
subject of sneers and derision, instead of wearing the hon- 
orable distinction that thou seemest so confidently to ex* 
pect.” 

“ Then, Luis de Bobadilla, thou knowest me not,” an- 
swered Mercedes, hastily, and speaking with a tender ear- 
nestness that brought the blood into her cheeks, gradually 
brightening the brilliancy of her eyes, until they shone 
with a lustre that seemed almost supernatural — “then, 
Luis de Bobadilla, thou knowest me not. I wish thee to 
share in the glory of this enterprise, because calumny and 
censure have not been altogether idle with thy'youth, and 
because I feel that Her Highness’ favor is most easily ob- 
tained by it ; but, if thou believest that the spirit to engage 
with Colon was necessary to incline me to think kindly of 
my guardian’s nephew, thou neither understandest the sen- 
timents that draw me toward thee, nor hast a just apprecia- 
tion of the hours of sorrow I have suffered on thy account.” 

“Dearest, most generous, noble-hearted girl, I am un- 
worthy of thy truth, of thy pure sincerity, and of all thy 
devoted feelings ! Drive me from thee at once, that I may 
ne’er again cause thee a moment’s grief.” 

“Nay, Luis, thy remedy, I fear me, would prove worse 
than the disease that thou wouldst cure,” returned the 
beautiful girl, smiling and blushing as she spoke, and turn- 
ing her eloquent eyes on the youth in a way to avow vol- 
umes of tenderness. “With thee must I be happy, or 
unhappy, as Providence may will it ; or miserable without 
thee.” 

The conversation now took that unconnected and yet 
comprehensive cast, which is apt to characterize the dis- 
course of those who feel as much as they reason, and it 
covered more interests, sentiments, and events, than our 
limits will allow us to record. As usual, Luis was incon- 
sistent, jealous, repentant, full of passion and protestations, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


141 

fancying a thousand evils at one instant, and figuring in 
his imagination a terrestrial paradise at the next ; while 
Mercedes was enthusiastic, generous, devoted, and yet 
high-principled, self-denying, and womanly ; meeting her 
ardent suitor’s vows with a tenderness that seemed to lose all 
other considerations in her love, and repelling with maiden 
coyness, and with the dignity of her sex, his rhapsodies, 
whenever they touched upon the exaggerated and indis- 
creet. 

The interview lasted an hour, and it is scarce necessary 
to say that vows of constancy, and pledges never to marry 
another, were given, again and again. As the time for 
separating approached, Mercedes opened a small casket 
that contained her jewels, and drew forth one which she 
offered to her lover as a gage of her truth. 

“ I will not give thee a glove to wear in thy casque at 
tourneys, Luis,” she said, “ but I offer this holy symbol, 
which may remind thee, at the same moment, of the great 
pursuit thou hast before thee, and of her who will wait its 
issue with doubts and fears little less active than those of 
Colon himself. Thou needst no other crucifix to say thy 
paters before, and these stones are sapphires, which thou 
knowest are the tokens of fidelity — a feeling that thou 
mayst encourage as respects thy lasting welfare, and which 
it would not grieve me to know thou kept’st ever active in 
thy bosom when thinking of the unworthy giver of the 
trifle.” 

This was said half in melancholy and half in lightness 
of heart, for Mercedes felt, at parting, both a w*eight of 
sorrow that was hard to be borne and a buoyancy of the 
very feeling to which she had just alluded, that much dis- 
posed her to smile ; and it was said with those winning 
accents with which the youthful and tender avow their 
emotions, when the heart is subdued by the thoughts of 
absence and dangers. The gift was a small cross, formed 
of the stones she had named, and of great intrinsic value, 
as well as precious from the motives and character of her 
who offered it. 

“ Thou hast had a care of my soul, in this, Mercedes,” 
said Luis, smiling, when he had kissed the jewelled cross 
again and again — “and art resolved if the sovereign of 
Cathay should refuse to be converted to our faith, that we 
shall not be converted to his. I fear that my offering will 
appear tame and valueless in thine eyes, after so precious 
a boon.” 


142 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


“ One lock of thy hair, Luis, is all I desire. Thou know- 
est that I have no need of jewels.” 

“ If I thought the sight of my bushy head would give 
thee pleasure, every hair should quit it, and I would sail 
from Spain with a poll as naked as a priest’s, or even an 
Infidel’s ; but the Bobadillas have their jewels, and a Boba- 
dilla’s bride shall wear them : this necklace was my moth- 
er’s, Mercedes ; it is said to have once been the property 
of a queen, though none have ever worn it who will so 
honor it as thou.” 

“ I take it, Luis, for it is thy offering and may not be 
refused ; and yet I take it tremblingly, for I see signs of 
our different natures in these gifts. Thou hast chosen the 
gorgeous and the brilliant, which pall in time, and seldom 
lead to contentment ; while my woman’s heart hath led me 
to constancy. I fear some brilliant beauty of the East 
would better gain thy lasting admiration than a poor Cas- 
tilian maid who hath little but her faith and love to recom- 
mend her !” 

Protestations on the part of the young man followed, and 
Mercedes permitted one fond and long embrace ere they 
separated. She wept on the bosom of Don Luis, and at the 
final moment of parting, as ever happens with woman, feel- 
ing got the better of form, and her whole soul confessed 
its weakness. At length Luis tore himself away from her 
presence, and that night he was on his way to the coast, 
under an assumed name, and in simple guise ; whithef 
Columbus had already preceded. 


CHAPTER XI. 

“ But where is Harold ? Shall I then forget 
To urge the gloomy wanderer o’er the wave? 

Little reck’d he of all that men regret ; 

No loved one now in feign’d lament could rave ; 

No friend the parting hand extended gave 

Ere the cold stranger pass’d to other climes.” — Byron. 

The reader is not to suppose that the eyes of Europe 
were on our adventurers. Truth and falsehood, inseparable 
companions it would seem, throughout all time, were not 
then diffused over the land by means of newspapers, with 
mercenary diligence ; and it was only the favored few who 
got early intelligence of enterprises like that in which 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


143 


Columbus was engaged. Luis de Bobadilla had, therefore, 
stolen from court unnoticed, and they who came in time 
to miss his presence, either supposed him to be on a visit 
to one of his castles, or to have gone forth on another of 
those wandering tours which were supposed to be blem- 
ishes on his chivalry and unworthy of his birth. As for the 
Genoese himself, his absence was scarcely heeded, though 
it was understood among the courtiers generally that Isa- 
bella had entered into some arrangement with him, which 
gave the adventurer higher rank and greater advantages 
than his future services would probably ever justify. The 
other principal adventurers were too insignificant to at- 
tract much attention, and they had severally departed for 
the coast without the knowledge of their movements ex- 
tending far beyond the narrow circles of their own ac- 
quaintances. Neither was this expedition, so bold in its 
conception and so momentous in its consequences, destined 
to sail from one of the more important ports of Spain ; but 
orders to furnish the necessary means had been sent to a 
haven of altogether inferior rank, and which would seem 
to have possessed no other recommendations for this par- 
ticular service, than hardy mariners, and a position without 
the pass of Gibraltar, which was sometimes rendered 
hazardous by the rovers of Africa. The order, however, is 
said to have been issued to the place selected, in conse- 
quence of its having incurred some legal penalty, by which 
it had been condemned to serve the crown for a twelve- 
month with two armed caravels. Such punishments, it 
would seem, were part of the policy of an age in which 
navies were little more than levies on sea-ports, and when 
fleets were usually manned by soldiers from the land. 

Palos de Moguer, the place ordered to pay this tribute for 
its transgression, was a town of little importance, even at 
the close of the fifteenth century, and it has since dwindled 
to an insignificant fishing village. Like most places that 
are little favored by nature, its population was hardy and 
adventurous, as adventure was then limited by ignorance. 
It possessed no stately caracks, its business and want of 
opulence confiding all its efforts to the lighter caravel and 
the still more diminutive felucca. All the succor, indeed, 
that Columbus had been able to procure from the two 
crowns, by his protracted solicitations, was the order for 
the equipment of the two caravels mentioned, with the ad- 
ditional officers and men that always accompanied a royal 
expedition. The reader, however, is not to infer from this 


144 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


fact any niggardliness of spirit, or any want of faith, on the 
part of Isabella. It was partly owing to the exhausted con- 
dition of her treasury, a consequence of the late war with 
the Moor, and more, perhaps, to the experience and dis- 
cretion of the great navigator himself, who well under- 
stood that, for the purposes of discovery, vessels of this size 
would be more useful and secure than those that were 
larger. 

On a rocky promontory, at a distance of less than a league 
from the village of Palos, stood the convent of La Rabida, 
since rendered so celebrated by its hospitality to Colum- 
bus. At the gate of this building, seven years before, the 
navigator, leading his youthful son by the hand, had pre- 
sented himself, a solicitor for food in behalf of the wearied 
boy. The story is too well known to need repetition here, 
and we will merely add that his long residence in this con- 
vent, and the firm friends he had made of the holy Fran- 
ciscans who occupied it, as well as among others in their 
vicinity, were also probably motives that influenced him in 
directing the choice of the crown to this particular place. 
Columbus had not only circulated his opinions with the 
monks, but with the more intelligent of the neighborhood, 
and the first converts he made in Spain were at this place. 

Notwithstanding all the circumstances named, the order 
of the crown to prepare the caravels in question spread 
consternation among the mariners of Palos. In that age 
it was thought a wonderful achievement to follow the land, 
along the coast of Africa, and to approach the equator. 
The vaguest notions existed in the popular mind concern- 
ing those unknown regions, and many even believed that 
by journeying south it was possible to reach a portion of 
the earth where animal and vegetable life must cease on 
account of the intense heat of the sun. The revolution of 
the planets, the diurnal motion of the earth, and the causes 
of the changes in the seasons, were then profound mys- 
teries even to the learned ; or, if glimmerings of the truth 
did exist, they existed as the first rays of the dawn dimly 
and hesitatingly announce the approach of day. It is not 
surprising, therefore, that the simple-minded and unlet- 
tered mariners of Palos viewed the order of the crown as a 
sentence of destruction on all who might be fated to obey 
it. The ocean, when certain limits were passed, was 
thought to be, like the firmament, a sort of chaotic void ; 
and the imaginations of the ignorant had conjured up 
currents and whirlpools that were believed to lead to fiery 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*45 


climates and frightful scenes of natural destruction. Some 
even fancied it possible to reach the uttermost boundaries 
of the earth, and to slide off into vacuum, by means of 
swift but imperceptible currents. 

Such was the state of things in the middle of the month 
of July. Columbus was still in the convent of Rabida, in 
the company of his constant friend and adherent, Fray 
Juan Perez, when a lay brother came to announce that a 
stranger had arrived at the gate, asking earnestly for the 
Senor Christoval Colon. 

“ Hath he the aspect of a messenger from the court ?” 
demanded the navigator; “for, since the failure of the 
mission of Juan de Penalosa, there is need of further 
orders from their highnesses to enforce their gracious in- 
tentions.” 

“ I think not, senor,” answered the lay brother ; “ thdse 
hard-riding couriers of the queen generally appearing with 
their steeds in a foam, and with hurried air and blustering 
voices ; whereas this young cavalier behaveth modestly, 
and rideth a stout Andalusian mule.” 

“Did he give thee his name, good Sancho?” 

“He gave me two, senor, styling himself Pedro de 
Munos, or Pedro Gutierrez, without the Don.” 

“This is well,” exclaimed Colombus, turning a little 
quickly toward the door, but otherwise maintaining a perfect 
self-command ; “ I expect the youth, and he is right wel- 
come. Let him come in at once, good Sancho, and that 
without any useless ceremony.” 

“ An acquaintance of the court, senor?” observed the 
prior, in the way one indirectly asks a question. 

“A youth that hath the spirit, father, to adventure life and 
character for the glory of God, through the advancement 
of his church, by embarking in our enterprise. He cometh 
of a reputable lineage, and is not without the gifts of 
fortune. But for the care of guardians, and his own youth, 
gold would not have been wanting in our need. As it is, 
he ventureth his own person, if one can be said to risk 
aught in an expedition that seemeth truly to set even the 
orders of their highnesses at defiance. 

As Columbus ceased speaking the door opened and Luis 
de Bobadilla entered. The young grandee had laid aside 
all the outward evidences of his high rank, and now ap- 
peared in the modest guise of a traveller belonging to a 
class more likely to furnish a recruit for the voyage, than 
one of the rank he really was. Saluting Columbus with 
io 


i 4 6 MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 

cordial and sincere respect, and the Franciscan with humble 
deference, the first at once perceived that this gallant and 
reckless spirit had truly engaged in the enterprise with a 
determination to use all the means that would enable him to 
go through with it. 

“ Thou art welcome, Pedro,” Columbus observed, as soon 
as Luis had made his salutations ; “ thou hast reached the 
coast at a moment when thy presence and support may be 
exceedingly useful. The first order of her highness, by 
which I should have received the services of the two cara- 
vels to which the State is entitled, hath been utterly dis- 
regarded ; and a second mandate, empowering me to seize 
upon any vessel that may suit our necessities, hath fared 
but little better, notwithstanding the Sefior de Pefialosa was 
sent directly from court to enforce its conditions, under a 
penalty to the port, of paying a daily tax of two hundred 
maravedis, until the order should be fulfilled. The idiots 
have conjured all sorts of ills with which to terrify them- 
selves and their neighbors, and I seem to be as far from 
the completion of my hopes as I was before I procured 
the friendship of this holy friar and the royal protection of 
Dona Isabella. It is a weary thing, my good Pedro, to 
waste a life in hopes defeated, with such an object in 
view as the spread of knowledge and the extension of 
the church ! ” 

“ I am the bearer of good tidings, sefior,” answered the 
young noble. “ In coming hither from the town of Moguer, 
I journed with one Martin Alonzo Pinzon, a mariner with 
whom I have formerly voyaged, and we have had much 
discourse concerning your commission and difficulties. He 
tells me that he is known to you, Senor Colon, and I 
should judge from his discourse that hethinketh favorably 
of the chances.” 

“ He doth — he doth, indeed, good Pedro, and hath often 
listened to my reasoning like a discreet and skilful naviga- 
tor, as I make no question he really is. But didst thou 
say that thou wast known to him ? ” 

“Sefior, I did. We have voyaged together as far as 
Cyprus, on one occasion, and, again, to the island of the 
English. In such long voyages men get to some knowl- 
edge of each other’s temperament and disposition, and, of 
a sooth, I think well of both in this Senor Pinzon.” 

“ Thou art young to pass an opinion on a mariner of 
Martin Alonzo’s years and experience, son,” put in the 
friar ; “ a man of much repute in this vicinity, and of no 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


147 


little wealth. Nevertheless, I am rejoiced to hear that he 
continueth of the same mind as formerly in relation to the 
great voyage ; for, of late, I did think even he had begun 
to waver.” 

Don Luis had expressed himself of the great man of the 
vicinity more like a Bobadilla than became his assumed 
name of Munos, and a glance from the eye of Columbus 
told him to forget his rank and to remember the disguise 
he had assumed. 

“ This is truly encouraging,” observed the navigator, 
“ and openeth a brighter view of Cathay. Thou wast jour- 
neying between Moguer and Palos, I think thou saidst, 
when this discourse was had with our acquaintance, the 
good Martin Alonzo ? ” 

“ I was, Sefior, and it was he who sent me hither in quest 
of the admiral. He gave you the title that the queen’s 
favor hath bestowed, and 1 consider that no small sign of 
friendship, as most others with whom I have conversed in 
this vicinity seem disposed to call you by any other name.” 

“None need embark in this enterprise,” returned the 
navigator, gravely, as if he would admonish the youth that 
this was an occasion on which he might withdraw from the 
adventure, if he saw lit, “ who feel disposed to act differ- 
ently, or who distrust my knowledge.” 

“ By San Pedro, my patron ! they tell another tale at 
Palos, and at Moguer, Senor Amirale,” returned Luis, 
laughing ; “ at which places, I hear, that no man whose 
skin hath been a little warmed by the sun of the ocean, 
dare show himself in the highways, lest he be sent to Cathay 
by a road that no one ever yet travelled, except in fancy ! 
There is, notwithstanding, one free and willing volunteer, 
Senor Colon, who is disposed to follow you to the edge of 
the earth, if it be flat, and to follow you quite around it, 
should it prove to be a sphere ; and that is one Pedro de 
Munos, who engagetli with you from no sordid love of 
gold, or love of aught else that men usually prize, but 
from the pure love of adventure, somewhat excited and 
magnified, perhaps, by love of the purest and fairest maid 
of Castile.” 

Fray Juan Perez gazed at the speaker, whose free man- 
ner and open speech a good deal surprised him ; for Colum- 
bus had succeeded in awakening so much respect that few 
presumed to use any levity in his presence, even before he 
was dignified by the high rank so recently conferred by the 
commission of Isabella. Little did the good monk suspect 


148 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


that one of a still higher personal rank, though entirely 
without official station, stood before him, in the guise of 
Pedro de Munos ; and he could not refrain from again ex- /1 
pressing the little relish he felt for such freedom of speech /] 
and deportment toward those whom he himself habitually j 
regarded with so much respect. . I 

“ It would seem, Senor Pedro de Munos,” he said, “ if ; 
that be thy name — though duke, or marquis, or count, 
would be a title better becoming thy bearing — that thou 
treatest His Excellency the Admiral with quite as much ■ 
freedom of thought, at least, as thou treatest the worthy 
Martin Alonzo of our own neighborhood ; a follower 
should be more humble, and not pass his jokes on the 
opinions of his leader, in this loose style of expression.” 

“ I crave your pardon, holy father, and that of the ad- 
miral, too, who better understandeth me, I trust, if there be 
any just grounds of offence. All I wish to express is, that 
I know this Martin Alonzo of your neighborhood, as an 
old fellow-voyager ; that we have ridden some leagues in 
company this very day, and that, after close discourse, he 
hath manifested a friendly desire to put his shoulder to the 
wheel, in order to lift the expedition, if not from a slough 
of mud, at least from the sands of the river ; and that he 
hath promised to come also to this good convent of La 
Rabida for that same purpose and no other. As for my- 
self, I can only add, that here I am, ready to follow where- 
soever the honorable Senor Colon may see fit to lead.” 

“ ’Tis well, good Pedro, ’tis well,” rejoined the admiral. 

“ I give thee full credit for sincerity and spirit, and that 
must content thee until an opportunity offereth to convince 
others. I like these tidings concerning Martin Alonzo, 
father, since he might truly do us much good service, and 
his zeal had assuredly begun to flag.” 

“ That might he, and that will he, if he engageth seri- 
ously in the affair. Martin is the greatest navigator on all 
this coast, for, though I did not know that he had ever 
been even to Cyprus, as would appear by the account of 
this youth, I was well aware that he had frequently sailed 
as far north as France, and as far south as the Canaries. 
Dost think Cathay much more remote than Cyprus, Senor 
Almirante ? ” 

Columbus smiled at this question, and shook his head 
in the manner of one who would prepare a friend for some 
sore disappointment. 

“Although Cyprus be not distant from the Holy Land 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


149 


and the seat of the Infidel’s power,” he answered, “ Cathay 
must lie much more remote. I flatter not myself, nor those 
who are disposed to follow me, with the hope of reaching 
the Indies short of a voyage that shall extend to some 
. eight hundred or a thousand leagues.” 

“ Tis a fearful and a weary distance ! ” exclaimed the 
Franciscan ; while Luis stood in smiling unconcern, equally 
indifferent whether he had to traverse one thousand or ten 
thousand leagues of ocean, so that the journey led to Mer- 
cedes, and was productive of adventure. “A fearful and 
weary distance, and yet I doubt not, Senor Almirante, that 
you are the very man designed by Providence to overcome 
it, and to open the way for those who will succeed you, 
bearing on high the cross of Christ and the promises of 
his redemption ! ” 

“ Let us hope this,” returned Columbus, reverently mak- 
ing the usual sign of the sacred emblem to which his friend 
alluded ; “as a proof that we have some worldly founda- 
tion for the expectation, here cometh the Senor Pinzon 
himself, apparently hot with haste to see us.” 

Martin Alonzo Pinzon, whose name is so familiar to the 
reader, as one who greatly aided the Genoese in his vast 
undertaking, now entered the room, seemingly earnest and 
bent on some fixed purpose, as Columbus’ observant eye 
had instantly detected. Fray Juan Perez was not a little 
surprised to see that the first salutation of Martin Alonzo, 
the great man of the neighborhood, was directed to Pedro, 
the second to the admiral, and the third to himself. There 
was not time, however, for the worthy Franciscan, who 
was a little apt to rebuke any dereliction of decency on the 
spot, to express what he felt on this occasion, ere Martin 
Alonzo opened his errand with an eagerness that showed 
he had not come on a mere visit of friendship, or of cere- 
mony. 

“ I am sorely vexed. Senor Almirante,” he commenced, 
“at learning the obstinacy, and the disobedience to the 
orders of the queen, that have been shown among our 
mariners of Palos. Although a dweller of the port itself, 
and one who hath always viewed your opinions of this 
western voyage with respect, if not with absolute faith, I 
did not know the full extent of this insubordination until 
I met, by accident, an old acquaintance on the highway, 
in the person of Don Pedro — I ought to say the Senor 
Pedro de Mufios, here, who, coming from a distance as he 
doth, hath discovered more of our backslidings than I had 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


I S° 

learned myself, on the spot. But Seflor, you are not nort 
to hear for the first time, of what sort of stuff men are made. 
They are reasoning beings, we are told ; notwithstanding 
which undeniable truth, as there is not one in a hundred 
who is at the trouble to do his own thinking, means may 
be found to change the opinions of a sufficient number for 
all your wants, without their even suspecting it.” 

“ This is very true, neighbor Martin Alonzo,” put in the 
friar ; “ so true, that it might go into a homily and do no 
disservice to religion. Man is a rational animal, and an 
accountable animal, but it is not meet that he should be a 
thinking animal. In matters of the church, now. its inter- 
ests being entrusted to a ministry, what have the unlearned 
and ignorant to say of its affairs ? In matters of naviga- 
tion it doth, indeed, seem as if one steersman were better 
than a hundred ! Although man be a reasoning animal, 
there are quite as many occasions when he is bound to 
obey without reasoning, and few when he should be per- 
mitted to reason without obeying.” 

“All true, holy friar and most excellent neighbor; so 
true that you will find no one in Palos to deny that, at 
least. And now we are on the subject I may as well add 
that it is the church that hath thrown more obstacles in 
the way of the Sefior Almirante’s success than any other 
cause. All the old women of the port declare that the no- 
tion of the earth’s being round is a heresy and contrary 
to the Bible ; and, if the truth must be said, there are not 
a few underlings of this very convent who uphold them in 
the opinion. It doth appear unnatural to tell one who 
hath never quitted the land, and who seeth himself much 
oftener in a valley than on an eminence, that the globe is 
round, and, though I have had many occasions to see the 
ocean, it would not easily find credit with me were it not 
for the fact that we see the upper and smaller sails of a 
ship first, when approaching her, as well as the vanes and 
crosses of towns, albeit they are the smaller objects about 
vessels and churches. We mariners have one way to in- 
spirit our followers, and you churchmen have another ; 
and, now that I intend to use my means to put wiser 
thoughts into the heads of the seamen of Palos, reverend 
friar, I look to you to set the church’s engines at work, 
so as to silence the women and to quell the doubts of the 
most zealous among your own brotherhood.” 

“ Am I to understand by this, Senor Pinzon,” demanded 
Columbus, “that you intend to take a direct and more 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


earnest interest than before in the success of my enter- 
prise ? ” 

“Senor, you may. That is my intention, if we can 
come to as favorable an understanding about the terms as 
your worship would seem to have entered into with our 
most honored mistress, Doha Isabella de Trastamara. I 
have had some discourse with Sehor Don — I would* say 
with the Sehor Pedro de Munos, here ; odd’s folly, an 
excess of courtesy is getting to be a vice with me of 
late — but as he is a youth of prudence, and manifests a 
desire to embark with you, it hath stirred my fancy so far 
that I would gladly be of the party. Senor de Munos 
and I have voyaged so much together that I would 
fain see his worthy countenance once more upon the 
ocean.” 

“These are cheerful tidings, Martin Alonzo,” eagerly 
put in the friar, “ and thy soul and the souls of all who 
belong to you will reap the benefits of this manly and 
pious resolution. It is one thing, Senor Almirante, to 
have their highnesses of your side, in a place like Palos, 
and another to have our worthy neighbor Pinzon, here ; 
for, if they are sovereigns in law, he is an emperor in 
opinion. I doubt not that the caravels will now be speed- 
ily forthcoming.” 

“Since thou seemest to have truly resolved to enter into 
our enterprise, Senor Martin Alonzo,” added Columbus, 
with his dignified gravity, “ out of doubt, thou hast well 
bethought thee of the conditions, and art come prepared 
to let them be known. Do they savor of the terms that 
have already been in discussion between us?” 

“Sefior Admiral, they do ; though gold is not just now 
as abundant in our purses as when we last discoursed on 
this subject. On that head some obstacles may exist, but 
on all others, I doubt not, a brief explanation between 
us will leave the matter free from doubt.” 

“As to the eighth, for which I stand committed with 
their highnesses, Senor Pinzon, there will be less reason 
now to raise that point between us than when we last met, as 
other means may offer to redeem that pledge ”— as Columbus 
spoke his eyes involuntarily turned toward the pretended 
Pedro, whither those of Martin Alonzo Pinzon signifi- 
cantly followed ; “ but there will be many difficulties to 
overcome with these terrified and silly mariners, which 
may yield to thy influence. If thou wilt comb with me 
into this chamber we will at once discuss the heads of our 


152 


MERCEDES CF CASTILE. 


treaty, leaving this youth, the while, to the hospitality of 
our reverend friend.” 

The prior raising no objection to this proposition, it was 
immediately put in execution, Columbus and Pinzon with- 
drawing to a more private apartment, leaving Fray Juan 
Perez alone with our hero. 

“Then thou thinkest seriously, son, of making one in 
this great enterprise of the admiral’s,” said the Franciscan, 
as soon as the door was closed on those who had just left 
them, eyeing Luis, for the first time, with a more strict 
scrutiny than hitherto he had leisure to exercise. “ Thou 
carriest thyself much like the young lords of the court, and 
wilt have occasion to acquire a less towering air in the nar- 
row limits of one of our Palos caravels.” 

“ I am no stranger to Nao, Carraca, Fusta, Pinaza, Cara- 
belon, or Felucca, holy prior, and shall carry myself with 
the admiral as I should carry myself before Don Fer- 
nando of Aragon, were he my fellow-voyager, or in the 
presence of Boabdil of Granada, were that unhappy mon- 
arch again seated on the throne from which he hath been 
so lately hurled, urging his chivalry to charge the knights 
of Christian Spain.” 

“These are fine words, son, ay, and uttered with a tilting 
air, if truth must be said ; but they will avail thee nothing 
with this Genoese, who hath that in him that would leave 
him unabashed even in the presence of our gracious lady, 
Dona Isabella, herself.” 

“Thou knowest the queen, holy monk ?” inquired Luis, 
forgetting his assumed character, in the freedom of his 
address. 

“I ought to know her inmost heart, son, for often have 
I listened to her pure and meek spirit in the secrets of the 
confessional. Much as she is beloved by us Castilians, no 
one can know the true, spiritual elevation of that pious 
princess, and most excellent woman, but they who have 
had occasion to shrive her.” 

Don Luis hemmed, played with the handle of his rapier, 
and then gave utterance to the uppermost thought, as usual. 

“ Didst thou, by any chance of thy priestly office, father, 
ever find it necessary to confess a maiden of the court, who 
is much esteemed by the queen?” he inquired, “and 
whose spirit, I’ll answer for it, is as pure as that of Dona 
Isabella’s itself.” 

“ Son, thy question denoteth greater necessity for re- 
pairing to Salamanca, in order to be instructed in the his- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


T 53 


tory, and practices, and faith of the church, than to be en- 
tering into an enterprise, even as commendable as this 
of Colon’s ! Dost thou not know that we churchmen are 
not permitted to betray the secrets of the confessional, or 
to draw comparisons between penitents ? and, moreover, 
that we do not take even Dona Isabella, the blessed Maria 
keep her ever in mind, as the standard of holiness to 
which all Christians are expected to aim ? The maiden 
of whom thou speakest may be virtuous, according to 
worldly notions, and yet a grievous sinner in the eyes of 
mother church.” 

“ I should like, before I quit Spain, to hear a Mendoza, 
or a Guzman, who hath not a shaven crown, venture to 
hint as much, most reverend prior ! ” 

“ Thou art hot and restive, and talkest idly, son ; what 
would one like thee find to say to a Guzman, or a Men- 
doza, or a Bobadilla even, did he affirm what thou wish- 
est ? But who is the maid in whom thy feelings seem to 
take so deep, although I question if it be not an unre- 
quited, interest?” 

“Nay, I did but speak in idleness. Our stations have 
made such a chasm between us that it is little likely we 
should ever come to speech ; nor is my merit such as 
would be apt to cause her to forget her high advantages.” 

“Still, she hath a name ?” 

“ She hath, truly, prior, and a right noble one it is. I 
had the Dona Maria de las Mercedes de Valverde in my 
thoughts when the light remark found utterance. Haply, 
thou may’st know that illustrious heiress ?” 

Fray Juan Perez, a truly guileless priest, started at the 
name ; then he gazed intently, and with a sort of pity, at 
the youth ; after which he bent his head toward the tiles 
beneath his feet, smiled, and shook his head like one whose 
thoughts were very active. 

“ I do, indeed, know the lady,” he said, “and even when 
last at court, on this errand of Colon’s, their own confessor 
being ill, I shrived her, as well as my joyal mistress. That 
she is worthy of Dofia Isabella’s esteem is true ; but thy 
admiration for this noble maiden, which must be some- 
thing like the distant reverence we feel for the clouds that 
sail above our heads, can scarce be founded on any rational 
hopes.” 

“ Thou canst not know that, father. If this expedition 
end as we trust, all who engage in it will be honored and 
advanced ; and why not I, as well as another ? ” 


154 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ In this, thou may’st utter truth, but as for the Dona — ” 
The Franciscan checked himself, for he was about to betray 
the secret of the confessional. He had, in truth, listened 
to the contrition of Mercedes, of which her passion for 
Luis was the principal cause ; and it was he who, with a 
species of pious fraud of which he was himself unconscious, 
had first pointed out the means by which the truant noble 
might be made to turn his propensity to rove to the profit 
of his love ; and his mind was full of her beautiful exhibi- 
tion of purity and natural feeling, nearly even to over- 
flowing. But habit and duty interfered in time, and he 
did not utter the name that had been trembling on his lips. 
Still, his thoughts continued in this current, and his tongue 
gave utterance to that portion of them which he believed to 
be harmless. “Thou hast been much about the world, it 
would seem, by Master Alonzo’s greeting,” he continued, 
after a short pause ; “ didst ever meet, son, with a certain 
cavalier of Castile, named Don Luis de Bobadilla — a 
grandee, who also bears the title of Conde de Llera ? ” 

“I know little of his hopes, and care less for his titles,” 
returned Luis, calmly, who thought he would manifest a 
magnanimous indifference to the Franciscan’s opinions, 
“but I have seen the cavalier, and a roving, mad-brained, 
graceless youth it is, of whom no good can be expected.” 

“ I fear this is but too true,” rejoined Fray Juan Perez, 
shaking his head in a melancholy manner, “ and yet they 
say he is a gallant knight, and the very best lance in all 
Spain.” 

“Ay, he may be that,” answered Luis, hemming a little 
louder than was decorous, for his throat began to grow 
husky. “ Ay, he may be that ; but of what avail is a good 
lance without a good character. I hear little commendable 
of this young Conde de Llera.” 

“ I trust he is not the man he generally passeth for,” 
answered the simple-hearted monk, without in the least 
suspecting his companion’s disguise; “and 1 do know 
that there are some who think well of him — nay, whose 
existence, I might say whose very souls, are wrapped up 
in him ! ” 

“Holy Franciscan! why wilt thou not mention the 
names of one or two of these ?” demanded Luis, with an 
impetuosity that caused the friar to start. 

“And why should I give this information to thee, young 
man, more than to another ? ” 

“ Why, father — why, for several most excellent and un- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


r 55 


answerable reasons. In the first place, I am a youth my- 
self, as thou seest ; and example, they say, is better than 
precept. Then, too, I am somewhat given to roving, and 
it may profit me to know how others of the same propen- 
sity have sped. Moreover, it would gladden my inmost 
heart to hear that — but two sufficient reasons are better 
than three, and thou hast the first number already.” 

Fray Juan Perez, a devout Christian, a learned church- 
man, and a liberal scholar, was as simple as a child in mat- 
ters that related to the world and its passions. Neverthe- 
less, he was not so dull as to overlook the strange deport' 
ment and stranger language of his companion. A direction 
had been given to his thoughts by the mention of the name 
of our heroine ; and, as he himself had devised the very 
course taken by our hero, the truth began to dawn on his 
imagination. 

“Young cavalier, ’ he exclaimed, “thou art Don Luis 
de Bobadilla ! ” 

“ I shall never deny the prophetic knowledge of a 
churchman, worthy father, after this detection ! I am he 
thou sayest, entered on this expedition to win the love of 
Mercedes de Valverde.” 

“ ’Tis as I thought — and yet, Senor, you might have 
taken our poor convent less at an advantage. Suffer that 
I command the lay brothers to place refreshments before 
you ! ” 

“ Thy pardon, excellent prior — Pedro de Mufios, .or even 
Pedro Gutierrez, hath no need of food ; but, now that thou 
knowest me, there can be less reason for not conversing 
of the Dona Mercedes ? ” 

“ Now that I know thee, Senor Conde, there is greater 
reason for silence on that head,” returned Fray Juan Perez, 
smiling. “ Thine aunt, the most esteemed and virtuous 
lady of Moya, can give thee all occasion to urge thy suit 
with this charming maiden, and it would ill become a 
churchman to temper her prudence by any indiscreet in- 
terference.” 

This explanation was the commencement of a long and 
confidential dialogue, in which the worthy prior, now that 
he was on his guard, succeeded in preserving his main 
secret, though he much encouraged the young man in the 
leading hope of his existence, as well as in his project to 
adhere to the fortunes of Columbus. In the meanwhile, 
the great navigator himself continued closeted with his 
new counsellor ; and when the two reappeared, it was an- 


i 5 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


nounced to those without that the latter had engaged in 
the enterprise with so much zeal, that he actually enter- 
tained the intention of embarking on board of one of the 
caravels in person. 


CHAPTER XII. 

“ Yet he to whom each danger hath become 
A dark delight, and every wild a home, 

Still m-ges onward— undismayed to tread 
Where life’s fond lovers would recoil with dread.” 

— The Abencerrage. 

The intelligence that Martin Alonzo Pinzon was to make 
one of the followers of Colon spread through the village 
of Palos like wild-fire. Volunteers were no longer want- 
ing ; the example of one known and respected in the 
vicinity operating far more efficiently on the minds of the 
mariners than the orders of the queen or the philosophy 
of Columbus. Martin Alonzo they knew ; they were ac- 
customed to submit to his influence ; they could follow in 
his footsteps, and had confidence in his judgment ; where- 
as, the naked orders of an unseen sovereign, however 
much beloved, had more of the character of a severe 
judgment than of a generous enterprise ; and as for Co- 
lumbus, though most men were awed by his dignified ap- 
pearance and grave manner, when out of sight he was as 
much regarded as an adventurer at Palos, as he had been 
at Santa Fe. 

The Pinzons set about their share of the expedition 
after the manner of those who were more accustomed to 
execute than to plan. Several of the family entered cor- 
dially into the work ; and a brother of Martin Alonzo’s, 
whose name was Vincente Yanez, also a mariner by pro- 
fession, joined the adventurers as commander of one of 
the vessels, while another took service as a pilot. In short, 
the month that succeeded the incidents just mentioned 
was actively employed, and more was done in that short 
space of time toward bringing about a solution of the 
great problem of Columbus, than had been accomplished, 
in a practical way, during the seventeen long years that 
the subject had occupied his time and engrossed his 
thoughts. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*57 

Notwithstanding the local influence of the Pinzons, a 
vigorous opposition to the project still existed in the heart 
of the little community that had been chosen for the place 
of equipment of the different vessels required. This family 
had its enemies as well as its friends, and, as is usual with 
most human undertakings, two parties sprang up, one of 
which was quite as busily occupied in thwarting the plans 
of the navigator, as the other was engaged in promoting 
them. One vessel had been seized for the service, under 
.the order of the court, and her owners became leaders of 
the dissatisfied faction. Many seamen, according to the 
usage of that day, had been impressed for duty on this ex- 
traordinary and mysterious voyage ; and, as a matter of 
course, they and their friends were not slow to join the 
ranks of the disaffected. Much of the necessary work was 
found to be imperfectly done ; and, when the mechanics 
were called on to repair these omissions, they absconded 
in a body. As the time for sailing approached the con- 
tention grew more and more violent, and even the Pinzons 
had the mortification of discovering that many of those 
who had volunteered to follow their fortunes began to 
waver, and that some had unequivocally deserted. 

Such was the state of things toward the close of the 
month of July, when Martin Alonzo Pinzon again repaired 
to the convent of Santa Maria de Rabida, where Columbus 
continued to pass most of the time that was not given to a 
direct personal superintendence of the preparations, and 
where Luis de Bobadilla, who was altogether useless in the 
actual condition of affairs, also passed many aweary hour, 
chafing for active duty, and musing on the loveliness, 
truth, and virtues of Mercedes de Valverde. Fray Juan 
Perez was earnest in his endeavors to facilitate the execu- 
tion of the objects of his friends, and he had actually 
succeeded, if not in absolutely suppressing the expression 
of all injurious opinion on the part of the less enlightened 
of the brotherhood, at least in rendering the promulgation 
of them more cautious and private. 

When Columbus and the prior were told that the Senor 
Pinzon sought an interview, neither was slow in granting 
the favor. As the hour of departure drew nigh the im- 
portance of this man’s exertions became more and more 
apparent, and both well knew that the royal protection of 
Isabella herself, just at that moment and in that place, was 
of less account than that of this active mariner. The 
Senor Pinzon, therefore, had not long to wait for his 


158 '" J 'MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 

audience, having been ushered into the room that was 
commonly occupied by the zealous Franciscan almost as 
soon as his request was preferred. 

“ Thou art right welcome, worthy Martin Alonzo ! ” ex- 
claimed the prior, the moment he caught a glimpse of the 
features of his old acquaintance. “ How get on matters at 
Palos, and when shall we have this holy undertaking in a 
fair direction for success ? ” 

“ By San Francisco, reverend prior, that is more than it 
will be safe for any man to answer. I have thought we 
were in a fair way to make sail a score of times, when 
some unforeseen difficulty hath arisen. The Santa Maria, 
on board which the admiral and the Senor Gutierrez, or de 
Munos, if he will have it so, will embark, is already fitted. 
She may be set down as a tight craft, and somewhat ex- 
ceedeth a hundred tons in burden, so that I trusthis ex- 
cellency, and all the gallant cavaliers who may accompany 
him, will be as comfortable as the holy monks of Rabida — 
more especially as the good caravel hath a deck.” 

“These are, truly, glad tidings,” returned the prior, 
rubbing his hands with delight, “ and the excellent craft 
hath really a deck ! Senor Almirante, thou mayst not be 
in a vessel that is altogether worthy of thy high aim, but, 
on the whole, thou wilt be both safe and comfortable, 
keeping in view, in particular, this convenient and shelter- 
ing deck.” 

“Neither my safety nor my convenience is a considera- 
tion to be mentioned, friend Juan Perez, when there is 
question of so much graver matters. I rejoice that thou 
hast come to the convent this morning, Senor Martin 
Alonzo, as, being about to address letters to the court, by 
means of an especial courier, I desire to know the actual 
condition of things. Thou thinkest the Santa Maria will 
be in a state for service by the end of the month ?” 

“Senor, I do. The ship hath been prepared with due 
diligence, and will conveniently hold some three score, 
should the panic that hath seized on so many of the be- 
sotted fools of Palos leave us that number, who may still 
be disposed to embark. I trust that the saints look upon 
our many efforts, and will remember our zeal when we shall 
come to a joint division of the benefits of this undertaking, 
which hath had no equal in the history of navigation ! ” 

“The benefits, honest Martin Alonzo, will be found in 
the spread of the church’s dominion, and the increased 
glory of God ! ” put in the prior, significantly. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


*59 

“Out of all question, holy Fray Juan Perez, this is the 
common aim ; though I trust it is permitted to a pains- 
taking mariner to bethink him of his wife and children, in 
discreet subordination to those greater ends. I have much 
mistaken the Senor Colon, if he do not look for some little 
advantage, in the way of gold, from this visit to Cathay.” 

“Thou hast not mistaken me, honest Martin Alonzo,” 
returned Columbus, gravely. “ I do, indeed, expect to see 
the wealth of the Indies pouring into the coffers of Castile 
in consequence of this voyage. In sooth, excellent prior, 
in my view, the recovery of the holy sepulchre is depen- 
dent mainly on the success of our present undertaking, in 
the way of a substantial worldly success.” 

“ This is well, Sefior Admiral,” put in Martin Alonzo, a 
little hastily, “ and ought to gain us great favor in the eyes 
of all good Christians — more especially with the monks of 
La Rabida. But it is hard enough to persuade the mariners 
of the port to obey the queen in this matter, and to fulfil 
their engagements with ourselves, without preaching a 
crusade as the best means of throwing away the few mar- 
avedis they may happen to gain by their hardships and 
courage. The worthy pilots, Francisco Martin Pinzon, 
mine own brother, Sanclio Ruiz, Pedro Alonzo Nino, and 
Bartolemeo Roldan, are all now firmly tied to us by the 
ropes of the law ; but should they happen to find a crusade 
at their end, all the saints in the calendar would scarce 
have influence to make them hesitate about loosening 
themselves from the agreement.” 

“ I hold no one but myself bound to this object,” re- 
turned Columbus, calmly. “ Each man, friend Martin 
Alonzo, will be judged by his own deeds, and called on to 
fulfil his own vows. Of those who pledge naught, naught 
will be' exacted, and naught given at the great final account 
of the human race. But what are the tidings of the Pinta, 
thine own vessel ? Hath she been finally put into a con- 
dition to buffet the Atlantic ? ” 

“ As ever happeneth with a vessel pressed into the royal 
service, senor, work hath gone on heavily, and things in 
general have not borne that merry activity which accom- 
panieth the labor of those who toil of a free will and for 
their own benefit.” 

“The silly mariners have toiled in their own behalf 
without knowing it,” observed Columbus. “It is the duty 
of the ignorant to submit to be led by the more enlightened, 
and to be grateful for the advantages they derive from a 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


160 

borrowed knowledge, albeit it is obtained contrary to their 
own wishes.” 

“ That is it, truly,” added the prior ; “ else would the 
office of us churchmen be reduced to very narrow limits. 
Faith — faith in the church — is the Christian’s earliest and 
latest duty.” 

“This seemeth reasonable, excellent sirs,” returned Mas- 
ter Alonzo, “though the ignorant find it difficult to com- 
prehend matters that they do not understand. When a 
man fancieth himself condemned to an unheard-of death 
he is little apt to see the benefit that lieth beyond the grave. 
Nevertheless, the Pinta is more nearly ready for the voy- 
age than any other of our craft, and hath her crew engaged 
to a man, and that under contracts that will not permit 
much dispute before a notary.” 

“There remaineth only the Nifia, then,” added Colum- 
bus ; “with her prepared, and our religious duties observed, 
we may hope finally to commence the enterprise ! ” 

“ Senor, you may. My brother, Vicente Yafiez, hath 
finally consented to take charge of this little craft, and 
that which a Pinzon promiseth, a Pinzon performeth. She 
will be ready to depart with the Santa Maria and the Pinta, 
and Cathay must be distant, indeed, if we do not reach it 
with one or the other of our vessels.” 

“ This is right encouraging, neighbor Martin Alonzo,” 
returned the friar, rubbing his hands with delight ; “ and 
I make no question all will come round in the end. 
What say the crones and loose talkers of Moguer, and 
of the other ports, touching the shape of the earth, 
and the chances of the admiral’s reaching the Indies 
nowadays ? ” 

“ They discourse much as they did, Fray Juan Perez, 
idly and without knowledge. Although there is not a 
mariner in any of the havens who doth not admit that the 
upper sails, though so much the smallest, are the first seen 
on the ocean, yet do they deny that this cometh of the 
shape of the earth, but, as they affirm, of the movements 
of the waters.” 

“ Have none of them ever observed the shadows cast by 
the earth in the eclipses of the moon?” asked Columbus, 
in his calm manner, though he smiled even in putting the 
question, as one smiles who, having dipped deeply into a 
natural problem himself, carelessly lays one of its more 
popular proofs before those who are less disposed to go 
beneath the surface. “ Do they not see that these shadows 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


i6i 

are round, and do they not know that a shadow which is 
round can only be cast by a body that is round ?” 

“ This is conclusive, good Martin Alonzo,” put in the 
prior, “ and it ought to remove the doubts of the silliest 
gossip on the coast. Tell them to encircle their dwell- 
ings, beginning to the right, and see if, by following the 
walls, they do not return to the spot from which they 
started, coming in from the left.” 

“ Ay, reverend prior, if we could bring our distant voy- 
age down to these familiar examples, there is not a crone 
in Moguer, or a courtier at Seville, that might not be 
made to comprehend the mystery. But it is one thing to 
state a problem fairly, and another to find those who can 
understand it. Now I did give some such reasoning to 
the Alguiazil in Palos here, and „the worthy Senor asked 
me if I expected to return from this voyage by the way of 
the lately captured town of Granada. I fancy that the 
easiest method of persuading these good people to believe 
that Cathay can be reached by the western voyage will be 
by going there and returning.” 

“ Which we will shortly do, Master Martin Alonzo,” ob- 
served Columbus, cheerfully. “ But the time of our de- 
parture draweth near, and it is meet that none of us neg- 
lect the duties of religion. I commend thee to thy con- 
fessor, Senor Pinzon, and expect that all who sail with me 
in this great enterprise will receive the holy communion 
in my company before we quit the haven. This excellent 
prior will shrive Pedro de Mu nos and myself, and let each 
man seek such other holy counsellor and monitor as hath 
been his practice.” 

With this intimation of his intention to pay a due re- 
gard to the rites of the church before he departed — rites 
that were seldom neglected in that day — the conversation 
turned, for the moment, on the details of the prepara- 
tions. After this the ' parties separated, and a few more 
days passed away in active exertions. 

On the morning of Thursday, August the second, 1492, 
Columbus entered the private apartment of Fray Juan 
Perez, habited like a penitent, and with an air so devout, 
and yet so calm, that it was evident his thoughts were alto- 
gether bent on his own transgressions and on the goodness 
of God. The zealous priest was in waiting, and the great 
navigator knelt at the feet of him, before whom Isabella 
had often knelt, in the fulfilment of the same solemnity. 
The religion of this extraordinary man was colored by the 
11 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


162 

habits and opinions of his age, as, indeed, in a greater or 
less degree, must be the religion of every man ; his con- 
fession, consequently, had that admixture of deep piety 
with inconsistent error, that so often meets the moralist in 
his investigations into the philosophy of the human mind. 
The truth of this peculiarity will be seen by adverting to 
one or two of the admissions of the great navigator, as he 
laid before his ghostly counsellor the catalogue of his sins. 

“Then, I fear, holy father,” Columbus continued, after 
having made most of the usual confessions touching the 
more familiar weaknesses of the human race, “that my 
mind hath become too much exalted in this matter of the 
voyage, and that I may have thought myself more directly 
set apart by God, for some good end, than it might please 
his infinite knowledge and wisdom to grant.” 

“That would be a dangerous error, my son, and I care- 
fully admonish thee against the evils of self-righteousness. 
That God selecteth his agents, is beyond dispute ; but it 
is a fearful error to mistake the impulses of self-love, for 
the movements of his Divine Spirit ! It is hardly safe for 
any who have not received the church’s ordination, to 
deem themselves chosen vessels.” 

“ I endeavor so to consider it, holy friar,” answered 
Columbus, meekly ; “and, yet, there is that within, which 
constantly urgeth to this belief, be it a delusion, or come 
it directly from heaven. I strive, father, to keep the feel- 
ing in subjection, and most of all do I endeavor to see 
that it taketh a direction that may glorify the name of God 
and serve the interests of his visible church.” 

“ This is well, and yet do I feel it a duty to admonish 
thee against too much credence in these inward impulses. 
So long as they tend, solely, to increase thy love for the 
Supreme Father of all, to magnify his holiness, and glori- 
fy his nature, thou may’st be certain it is the offspring of 
good ; but w T hen self-exaltation seemeth to be its* aim, 
beware the impulse, as thou wouldst eschew^ the dictation 
of the great father of evil ! ” 

“ I so consider it ; and now having truly and sincerely 
disburdened my conscience, father, so far as in me lieth, 
may I hope for the church’s consolation, with its absolu- 
tion ? ” 

“ Canst thou think of naught else, son, that should not 
lie hid from before the keeper of all consciences?” 

“My sins are many, holy prior, and cannot be too often 
or too keenly rebuked ; but I do think that they may be 


ME A' CEDES OF CASTILE. 163 

fairly included in the general heads that I have endeavored 
to recall.” 

“Hast thou nothing to charge thyself with, in connec- 
tion with that sex that the devil as often useth as his 
tempters to evil, as the angels would fain employ them as 
the ministers of grace ?” 

“ I have erred as a man, father ; but do not my confes- 
sions already meet those sins ? ” 

“ Hast thou bethought thee of Dona Beatriz Enriquez ? 
of thy son Fernando, who tarrieth at this moment, in our 
convent of la Rabida ? ” 

Columbus bowed his head in submission, and the heavy 
sigh, amounting almost to a groan, that broke out of his 
bosom, betrayed the weight of his momentary contrition. 

“Thou say’st true, father; that is an offence which 
should never be forgotten, though so often shrived since 
its commission. Heap on me the penance that I feel is 
due, and thou shalt see how a Christian can bend and kiss 
the rod that he is conscious of having merited.” 

“The spirit thus to do is all that the church requireth ; 
and thou art now bent on a service too important to her 
interests to be drawn aside from thy great intentions, for 
any minor considerations. Still may not a minister of the 
altar overlook the offence. Thou wilt say a pater, daily, 
on account of this great sin, for the next twenty days, all 
of which will be for the good of thy soul ; after which the 
church releaseth thee from this especial duty, as thou wilt, 
then, be drawing near to the land of Cathay, and may 
have occasion for all thy thoughts and efforts to effect thy 
object.” 

The worthy prior then proceeded to prescribe several 
light penances, most of which were confined to moderate 
increases of the daily duties of religion ; after which he 
shrived the navigator. The turn of Luis came next, and 
more than once the prior smiled involuntarily, as he lis- 
tened to this hot-blooded and impetuous youth, whose 
language irresistibly carried back his thoughts to the more 
meek, natural, and the more gentle admissions of the pure- 
minded Mercedes. The penance prescribed to Luis was 
not entirely free from severity, though, on the whole, the 
young man, who was not much addicted to the duties of 
the confessional, fancied himself well quit of the affair, 
considering the length of the account he was obliged to 
render, and the weight of the balance against him. 

These duties performed in the persons oi the two prim 


164 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


cipal adventurers, Martin Alonzo Pinzon and the ruder 
mariners of the expedition appeared before different priests 
and gave in the usual reckoning of their sins. After this 
came a scene that was strictly characteristic of the age, 
and which would be impressive and proper, in all times 
and seasons, for men about to embark in an undertaking 
of a result so questionable. 

High mass was said in the chapel of the convent, and 
Columbus received the consecrated bread from the hands 
of Fray Juan Perez, in humble reliance on the all-seeing 
providence of God, and with a devout dependence on his 
fostering protection. All who were about to embark with 
the admiral imitated his example, communing in his com- 
pany ; for that was a period when the wire-drawn conclu- 
sions of man had not yet begun so far to supplant the faith 
and practices of the earlier church as to consider its rites 
as the end of religion, but he was still content to regard 
them as its means. Many a rude sailor, whose ordinary 
life might not have been either saintly or even free from 
severe censure, knelt that day at the altar, in devout de- 
pendence on God, with feelings, for the moment, that at 
least placed him on the highway to grace ; and it would 
be presumptuous to suppose that the omniscient Being to 
whom his offerings were made, did not regard his ignorance 
with commiseration, and even look upon his superstition 
with pity. We scoff at the prayers of those who are in 
danger, without reflecting that they are an homage to the 
power of God, and are apt to fancy that these passages in 
devotion are mere mockery, because the daily mind and 
the ordinary life are not always elevated to the same stand- 
ard of godliness and purity.* It would be more humble to 
remember the general infirmities of the race ; to recollect, 
that as none are perfect, the question is reduced to one of 
degree ; and to bear in mind, that the Being who reads the 
heart, may accept of any devout petitions, even though 
they come from those who are not disposed habitually to 
walk in his laws. These passing but pious emotions are 
the workings of the Spirit, since good can come from no 
other source ; and it is as unreasonable as it is irreverent 
to imagine that the Deity will disregard, altogether, the 
effects of his own grace, however humble. 

Whatever may have been the general disposition of most 
of the communicants on this occasion, there is little doubt 
that there knelt at the altar of La Rabida, that day, one in 
the person of the great navigator himself, who, as far as 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


l6 5 

the eye could perceive, lived habitually in profound defer- 
ence to the dogmas of religion, and who paid an undeviat- 
ing respect to all its rites. Columbus was not strictly a 
devotee ; but a quiet, deeply-seated enthusiasm, which had 
taken the direction of Christianity, pervaded his moral 
system, and at all times disposed him to look up to the 
protecting hand of the Deity and to expect its aid. The 
high aims that he entertained for the future have already 
been mentioned, and there is little doubt of his having 
persuaded himself that he had been set apart by Provi- 
dence as the instrument it designed to employ in making 
the great discovery on which his mind was so intently en- 
gaged, as well as in accomplishing other and ulterior pur- 
poses. If, indeed, an overruling Power directs all the 
events of this world, who will presume to say that this con- 
viction of Columbus was erroneous, now that it has been 
justified by the result ? That he felt this sentiment sus- 
taining his courage and constantly urging him onward, is 
so much additional evidence in favor of his impression, 
since, under such circumstances, nothing is more probable 
than that an earnest belief in his destiny would be one of 
the means most likely to be employed by a supernatural 
power in inducing its human agent to accomplish the work 
for which he had actually been selected. 

Let this be as it might, there is no doubt that Colon ob- 
served the rites of the church, on the occasion named, with 
a most devout reliance on the truth of his mission, and 
with the brightest hopes as to its successful termination. 
Not so, however, with all of his intended followers. Their 
minds had wavered, from time to time, as the preparations 
advanced ; and the last month had seen them eager to de- 
part, and dejected with misgivings and doubts. Although 
there were days of hope and brightness, despondency per- 
haps prevailed, and this so much the more because the 
apprehensions of mothers, wives, and of those who felt an 
equally tender interest in the mariners, though less in- 
clined to avow it openly, were thrown into the scale by 
the side of their own distrust. Gold, unquestionably, was 
the great aim of their wishes, and there were moments 
when visions of inexhaustible mines and of oriental treas- 
ures floated before their imaginations ; at which times 
none could be more eager to engage in the mysterious un- 
dertaking, or more ready to risk their lives and hopes on its 
success. But these were fleeting impressions, and, as has 
just been said, despondency was the prevalent feeling 


i66 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


among those who were about to embark. It heightened 
the devotion of the communicants, and threw a gloom over 
the chastened sobriety of the altar, that weighed heavily 
on the hearts of most assembled there. 

“ Our people seem none of the most cheerful, Sefior 
Almirante,” said Luis, as they left the convent-chapel in 
company ; “ and, if truth must be spoken, one could wish 
to set forth on an expedition of this magnitude, better sus- 
tained by merry hearts and smiling countenances.” 

“ Dost thou imagine, young count, that he hath the firm- 
est mind who weareth the most smiling visage, or that the 
heart is weak because the countenance is sobered ? These 
honest mariners bethink them of their sins, and no doubt 
are desirous that so holy an enterprise be not tainted by 
the corruption of their own hearts, but rather purified and 
rendered fitting, by their longings to obey the will of God. 
I trust, Luis” — intercourse had given Columbus a sort of 
paternal interest in the welfare of the young grandee, that 
lessened the distance made by rank between them — “ I 
trust, Luis, thou art not, altogether, without these pious 
longings in thine own person.” 

“By San Pedro, my new patron! Sefior Almirante, I 
think more of Mercedes de Valverde, than of aught else, 
in this great affair. She is my polar star, mj r religion, my 
Cathay. Go on, in Heaven’s name, and discover what 
thou wilt, whether it be Cipango or the furthest Indies ; 
beard the great Khan on his throne, and I will follow in 
thy train, with a poor lance and an indifferent sword, swear- 
ing that the maid of Castile hath no equal, and ransacking 
the east, merely to prove in the face of the universe that 
she is peerless, let her rivals como from what part of the 
earth they may.” 

Although Columbus permitted his grave countenance 
slightly to relax at this rhapsody, he did not the less deem 
it prudent to rebuke the spirit in which it was uttered. 

“ I grieve, my young friend,” he said, “ to find that thou 
hast not the feelings proper for one who is engaged, as it 
might be, in a work of Heaven’s own ordering. Canst 
thou not foresee the long train of mighty and wonderful 
events that are likely to follow from this voyage — the 
spread of religion, through the holy church ; the conquest 
of distant empires, with their submission to the sway of 
Castile ; the settling of disputed points in science and 
philosophy, and the attainment of inexhaustible wealth ; 
with the last and most honorable consequence of all, the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 167 

recovery of the sepulchre of the Son of God, from the 
hands of the Infidels ! ” 

“ No doubt, Senor Colon — no doubt, I see them all, but 
I see the Dona Mercedes at their end. What care I for 
gold, who already possess — or shall so soon possess — more 
than I need ? what is the extension of the sway of Castile 
to me, who can never be its king ? and as for the Holy 
Sepulchre, give me but Mercedes, and, like my ancestors 
that are gone, I am ready to break a lance with the stout- 
est Infidel who ever wore a turban, be it in that, or in any 
other quarrel. In short, Senor Almirante, lead on ; and 
though we go forth with different objects and different 
hopes, doubt not that they will lead us to the same goal. 
I feel that you ought to be supported in this great and no- 
ble design, and it matters not what may bring me in your 
train.” 

“Thou art a mad-brained youth, Luis, and must be hu- 
mored, if it were only for the sake of the sweet and pious 
young maiden who seemeth to engross all thy thoughts.” 

“You have seen her, Senor, and can say whether she be 
not worthy to occupy the minds of all the youth of Spain ?” 

“ She is fair, and virtuous, and noble, and a zealous 
friend of the voyage. These are all rare merits, and thou 
may’st be pardoned for thy enthusiasm in her behalf. But 
forget not, that, to win her, thou must first win a sight of 
Cathay.” 

“ In the reality, you must mean, Senor Almirante ; for, 
with the mind’s eye, I see it keenly, constantly, and see 
little else, with Mercedes standing on its shores, smiling a 
welcome, and, by St. Paul ! sometimes beckoning me on, 
with that smile that fires - the soul with its witchery, even 
while it subdues the temper with its modesty. The blessed 
Maria send us a wind, right speedily, that we may quit 
this irksome river and wearying convent ! ” 

Columbus made no answer ; for, while he had all con- 
sideration for a lover’s impatience his thoughts turned to 
subjects too grave, to be long amused even by a lover’s 
follies. 


1 68 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


CHAPTER XIII. 

“Nor Zayda weeps him only, 

But all that dwell between 

The great Alhambra’s palace walls 

And springs of Albaiein.” — Bryant’s Translations. 

The instant of departure at length arrived. The mo- 
ment so long desired by the Genoese was at hand, and 
years of poverty, neglect, and of procrastination, were all 
forgotten at that blessed hour ; or, if they returned in any 
manner to the constant memory, it was no longer with the 
bitterness of hope deferred. The navigator, at last, saw 
himself in the possession of the means of achieving the 
first great object for which he had lived the last fifteen 
years, with the hope, in perspective, of making the success 
of his present adventure the stepping-stone toward effecting 
the conquest of the Holy Sepulchre. While those around 
him were looking with astonishment at the limited means 
with which ends so great were to be attained, or were 
struck aghast at the apparent temerity of an undertaking 
that seemed to defy the laws of nature, and to set at 
naught the rules of Providence, he had grown more tran- 
quil as the time for sailing drew nearer, and his mind was 
oppressed merely by a feeling of intense, but of sobered, 
delight. Fray Juan Perez whispered to Luis, that he 
could best liken the joy of the admiral to the chastened 
rapture of a Christian who was about to quit a world of 
woe, to enter on the untasted, but certain, fruition of 
blessed immortality. 

This, however, was far from being the state of mind of 
all in Palos. The embarkation took place in the course 
of the afternoon of the 2d of August, it being the intention 
of the pilots to carry the vessels that day to a point off the 
town of Huelvas, where the position was more favorable 
to making sail than when anchored in front of Palos. The 
distance was trifling, but it was the commencement of the 
voyage, and, to many, it was like snapping the cords of 
life, to make even this brief movement. Columbus, him- 
self, was one of the last to embark, having a letter to send 
to the court, and other important duties to discharge. At 
length he quitted the convent, and accompanied by Luis 
and the prior, he, too, took his way to the beach. The 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


169 


short journey was silent, for each of the party was deeply 
plunged in meditation. Never before this hour, did the 
enterprise seem so perilous and uncertain to the excellent 
Franciscan. Columbus was carefully recalling the details 
of his preparations, while Luis was thinking of the maid 
of Castile, as he was wont to term Mercedes, and of the 
many weary days that must elapse before he could hope 
to see her again. 

The party stopped on the shore, in waiting for a boat to 
arrive, at a place where they were removed from any 
houses. There Fray Juan Perez took his leave of the two 
adventurers. The long silence that all three had main- 
tained, was more impressive than any ordinary discourse 
could have been ; but it was now necessary to break it. 
The prior was deeply affected, and it was some little time 
before he could even trust his voice to speak. 

“ Sefior Christoval,” heat length commenced, “ it is now 
many years since thou first appeared at the gate of Santa 
Maria de Rabida — years of friendship and pleasure have 
they proved to me.” 

“It is full seven, Fray Juan Perez,” returned Columbus 
— “seven weary years have they proved to me, as a solici- 
tor for employment — years of satisfaction, father, in all 
that concerneth thee. Think not that I can ever forget the 
hour, when, leading Diego, houseless, impoverished, wan- 
derers, journeying on foot, I stopped to tax the convent’s 
charity for refreshment ! The future is in the hands of 
God, but the past is imprinted here ” — laying his hand on 
his heart — “and can never be forgotten. Thou hast been 
my constant friend, holy prior, and that, too, when it was 
no credit to favor the nameless Genoese. Should my esti- 
mation ever change in men’s opinions ” 

“ Nay, Senor Almirante, it hath changed already,” eagerly 
interrupted the prior. “ Hast thou not the commission of 
the queen — the support of Don Fernando — the presence 
of this young noble, though still as an incognito — the 
wishes of all the learned ? Dost thou not go forth, on this 
great voyage, carrying with thee more of our hopes than 
of our fears ? ” 

“So far as thou art concerned, dear Juan Perez, this 
may be so. I feel that I have all thy best wishes for suc- 
cess ; I know that I shall have thy prayers. Few in Spain, 
notwithstanding, will think of Colon with respect, or hope, 
while we are wandering on the great desert of the ocean, 
beyond a very narrow circle. I fear me, that, even at this 


I ;o 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


moment, when the means of learning the truth of our the- 
ories is in actual possession — when we. stand, as it might 
be, on the very threshold of the great portal which opens 
upon the Indies — that few believe in our chances of suc- 
cess.” 

“Thou hast Dona Isabella of thy side, senor?” 

“ And Doha Mercedes ! ” put in Luis ; “ not to speak of 
my decided and true-hearted aunt ! ” 

“ I ask but a few brief months, Sehores,” returned Co- 
lumbus, his face turned to heaven with uncovered head, his 
gray hair floating in the wind, and his eye kindling with 
the light of enthusiasm — “ a few short months, that will 
pass away untold with the happy — that even the miserable 
may find supportable, but which to us will seem ages, must 
now dispose of this question. Prior, I have often quitted 
the shore feeling that I'carried my life in my hand, con- 
scious of all the dangers of the ocean, and as much expect- 
ing death as a happy return ; but at this glorious moment 
no doubts beset me ; as for life, I know it is in the keeping 
of God’s care ; as for success, I feel it is in God’s wisdom ! ” 
“ These are comfortable sentiments, at so serious a mo- 
ment, Senor, and I devoutly hope the end will justify them. 
But yonder is thy boat, and we must now part. Senor, 
my son, thou Jcnowest* that my spirit will be with thee in 
this mighty undertaking.” 

“ Holy prior, remember me in thy prayers. I am weak, 
and h.ave need of this support. I trust much to the effi- 
cacy of thv intercessions, aided by those of thy pious 
brotherhood. Thou wilt bestow on us a few masses ? ” 

“ Doubt us not, my friend ; all that la Rabida can do 
with the blessed Virgin, or the saints, shall be exercised, 
without ceasing, in thy behalf. It is not given to men to 
foresee the events that are controlled by Providence ; and, 
though we deem this enterprise of thine so certain, and so 
reasonable, it may nevertheless fail.” 

“ It may not fail, father ; God hath thus far directed it, 
and he will not permit it to fail.” 

“We know not, Senor Colon, our wisdom is but as a 
grain of mustard seed among the sands of this shore, as 
compared with his inscrutable designs. I was about to 
say, as it is possible thou may'st return a disappointed, a de- 
feated man, that thou wilt still find the gate of Santa Maria 
open to thee ; since, in our eyes, it is as meritorious to at- 
tempt nobly, as it is often, in the eyes of others, to achieve 
successfully.” 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


i 7 r 


“I understand thee, holy prior; and the cup and the 
morsel bestowed on the young Diego, were not more 
grateful than this proof of thy friendship ! I would not 
depart without thy blessing.” 

“ Kneel, then, Senor ; for in this act it will not be Juan 
Perez de Marchena that will speak, and pronounce, but 
the minister of God and the Church. Even these sands 
will be no unworthy spot to receive such an advantage.” 

The eyes of both Columbus and the prior were suffused 
with tears, for at that moment the heart of each was 
touched with the emotions natural to a moment so solemn. 
The first loved the last, because he had proved himself a 
friend when friends were few and timid ; and the worthy 
monk had some such attachment for the great navigator 
as men are apt to feel for those they have cherished. 
Each, also, respected and appreciated the other’s motives, 
and there was a bond of union in their common reverence 
for the Christian religion. Columbus kneeled on the sands, 
and received the benediction of his friend, with the meek 
submission of faith, and with some such feelings of rever- 
ence as those with which a pious son would have listened 
to a blessing pronounced by a natural father. 

“And thou, young lord,” resumed Fray Juan Perez, 
with a husky voice — “thou, too, wilt be none the worse 
for the prayers of an aged churchman.” * 

Like most of that age, Luis, in the midst of his impetu- 
ous feelings and youthful propensities, had enshrined in 
his heart an image of the Son of God, and entertained 
an habitual respect for holy things. He knelt without 
hesitation, and listened to the trembling words of the 
priest with thankfulness and respect. 

“Adieu, holy prior,” said Columbus, squeezing his 
friend’s hand. “Thou hast befriended me when others 
held aloof ; but I trust in God that the day is not now dis- 
tant, when those who have ever shown confidence in thy 
predictions, will cease to feel uneasiness at the mention of 
my name. Forget us in all things but thy prayers, for 
a few short months, and then expect tidings that, of a 
verity, shall exalt Castile to a point of renown which will 
render this Conquest of Granada but an incident of pass- 
ing interest amid the glory of the reign of Ferdinand and 
Isabella ! ” 

This was not said boastfully, but with the quiet earnest- 
ness of one who saw a truth that was concealed from most 
eyes, and this with an intensity so great, that the effect on 


1 72 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


his moral vision produced a confidence equalling that 
which is the fruit of the evidence of the senses in ordinary- 
men. The prior understood him, and the assurances thus 
given cheered the mind of the unworthy Franciscan long 
after the departure of his friend. They embraced and 
separated. 

By this time the boat of Columbus had reached the 
shore. As the navigator moved slowly toward it, a youth- 
ful female rushed wildly past him and Luis, and, regard- 
less of their presence, she threw her arms around a young 
mariner who had quitted the boat to meet her, and sobbed 
for a minute on his bosom in uncontrollable agony, or as 
women weep in the first outbreak of their emotions. 

“ Come, then, Pepe,” the young wife at length said, hur- 
riedly, and with low earnestness, as one speaks who would 
fain persuade herself that denial was impossible — “come, 
Pepe ; thy boy hath wept for thee, and thou hast pushed 
this matter already much too far.” 

“Nay, Monica,” returned the husband, glancing his eye 
at Columbus, who was already near enough to hear his 
words — “thou knowest it is by no wish of mine that I am 
to sail on this unknown voyage. Gladly would I abandon 
it, but the orders of the queen are too strong for a poor 
mariner like me, and they must be obeyed.” 

“This is foolish, Pepe,” returned the woman, pulling at 
her husband’s doublet to drag him from the water-side — 
“ I have had enough of this ; sufficient to break my heart. 
Come, then, and look again upon thy boy.” 

“ Thou dost not see that the admiral is near, Monica, 
and we are showing him disrespect.” 

The habitual deference that was paid by the low to the 
high, induced the woman, for a moment, to pause. She 
looked imploringly at Columbus, her fine dark eyes be- 
came eloquent with the feelings of a wife anld mother, and 
then she addressed the great navigator himself. 

“ Sefior,” she said, eagerly, “you can have no further 
need of Pepe. He hath helped to carry your vessels to 
Huelva, and now his wife and boy call for him at home.” 

Columbus was touched with the manner of the woman, 
which was not entirely without a show of that wavering 
of reason which is apt to accompany excessive grief, and 
he answered her less strongly than, at a moment so critical, 
he might otherwise have been disposed to do to one who 
was inciting to disobedience. 

“ Thy husband is honored in being chosen to be my 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*73 


companion in the great voyage,” he said. “ Instead of 
bewailing his fate, thou wouldst act more like a brave 
mariner’s wife in exulting in his good fortune.” 

“ Believe him not, Pepe. He speaketh under the Evil 
One’s advice to tempt thee to destruction. He hath talked 
blasphemy, and belied the word of God, by saying that 
the world is round, and that one may sail east by steering 
west, that he might ruin thee and others, by tempting ye 
all to follow him ! ” 

“ And why should I do this, good woman ? ” demanded 
the admiral. “ What have I to gain by the destruction of 
thy husband, or by the destruction of any of his com. 
rades ? ” 

“ I know not — I care not — Pepe is all to me, and he 
shall not go with you on this mad and wicked voyage. No 
good can come of a journey that is begun by belying the 
truths of God ! ” 

“ And what particular evil dost thou dread in this, more 
than in another voyage, that thou thus hang'st upon thy 
husband, and usest such discourse to one who beareth 
their Highnesses’ authority for that he doeth ? Thou 
k newest he was a mariner when thou wert wedded, and 
yet thou wouldst fain prevent him from serving the queen, 
as becometh his station and duty.” 

“ He may go against the Moor, or the Portuguese, or 
the people of Inghleterra, but I would not that he voyage 
in the service of the Prince of Darkness. Why tell us 
that the earth is round, Senor, when our eyes show that it 
is flat ? And if round, how can a vessel that hath descend- 
ed the side of the earth for days, ever return ? The sea 
doth not flow upward, neither can a caravel mount the 
waterfall. And when thou hast wandered about for months 
in the vacant ocean, in what manner wilt thou, and those 
with thee, ever discover the direction that must be taken 
to return whence ye all sailed ? Oh ? Senor, Palos is but 
a little town, and once lost sight of in such a confusion of 
ideas, it will never be regained.” 

“ Idle and childish as this may seem,” observed Colum- 
bus, turning quietly to Luis, “it is as reasonable as much 
that I have been doomed to hear from the learned, during 
the last sixteen years. When the night of ignorance ob- 
scures the mind, the thoughts conjure arguments a thou- 
sand times more vain and frivolous than the phenomena 
of nature that it fancies so unreasonable. I will try the 
effect of religion on this woman, converting her present 


174 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


feelings on that head, from an enemy into an ally. Mon- 
ica,” calling her kindly and familiarly by name, “ art thou 
a Christian ? ” 

“ Blessed Maria ! Senor Almirante, what else should I 
be ? Dost think Pepe would have married a Moorish girl ?” 

“ Listen, then, to me, and learn how unlike a believer 
thou conductest. The Moor is not the only infidel, but 
this earth groaneth with the burden of their numbers, and 
of their sins. The sands on this shore are not as numer- 
ous as the unbelievers in the single kingdom of Cathay ; 
for, as yet, God hath allotted but a small portion of the 
earth to those who have faith in the mediation of his Son. 
Even the sepulchre of Christ is yet retained by infidel 
hands.” 

“ This have I heard, Senor ; and ’tis a thousand pities 
the faith is so weak in those who have vowed to obey the 
law, that so crying an evil hath never been cured ! ” 

“ Hast thou not been told that such is to be the fate of 
the world, for a time, but that light will dawn when the 
word shall pass, like the sound of trumpets, into the ears 
of infidels, and when the earth, itself, shall be but one vast 
temple, filled with the praises of God, the love of his name, 
and obedience to his will ? ” 

“ Senor, the good fathers of la Rabida, and our own 
parish priests, often comfort us with these hopes.” 

“And hast thou seen naught of late to encourage that 
hope — to cause thee to think that God is mindful of his 
people, and that new light is beginning to burst on the 
darkness of Spain ?” 

“ Pepe, his excellency must mean the late miracle at the 
convent, where they say that real tears were seen to fall 
from the eyes of the image of the holy Maria, as she 
gazed at the child that lay on her bosom.” 

“I mean not that,” interrupted Columbus, a little sternly, 
though he crossed himself, even while he betrayed dis- 
satisfaction at the allusion to a miracle that was much too 
vulgar for his manly understanding — “I mean no such 
questionable wonder, which it is permitted us to believe, 
or not, as it may be supported by the church’s authority. 
Can thy faith and zeal point to no success of the two 
sovereigns, in which the power of God, as exercised to the 
advancement of the faith, hath been made signally apparent 
to believers ? ” 

“ He meaneth the expulsion of the Moor, Pepe ! ” the 
woman exclaimed, glancing quickly toward her husband, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


r 75 


with a look of pleasure, “ that hath happened of late, they 
say, by conquering the city of Granada ; into which place, 
they tell me, Dona Isabella hath marched in triumph.” 

“ In that conquest, thou seest the commencement of the 
great acts of our time. Granada hath now its churches ; 
and the distant land of Cathay will shortly follow her 
example. These are the doings of the Lord, foolish woman ; 
and in holding back thy husband from this great under- 
taking, thou hinderest him from purchasing a signal reward 
in heaven, and may unwittingly be the instrument of cast- 
ing a curse, instead of a blessing, on that very boy, whose 
image now filleth thy thoughts more than that of his 
Maker and Redeemer.” 

The woman appeared bewildered, first looking at the 
admiral, and then at her husband, after which she bowed 
her head low, and devoutly crossed herself. Recovering 
from this self-abasement, she again turned toward Colum- 
bus, demanding earnestly— 

“ And you, Sefior — do you sail with the wish and hope 
of serving God ? ” 

“ Such is my principal aim, good woman. I call on 
Heaven itself, to witness the truth of what I say. May 
my voyage prosper, only, as I tell thee naught but truth ! ” 

“And you, too, Sefior?” turning quickly to Luis de 
Bobadilla ; “is it to serve God that you also go on this 
unusual voyage ?” 

“ If not at the orders of God, himself, my good woman, 
it is, at least, at the bidding of an angel ! ” 

“ Dost thou think it is so, Pepe ? , Have we been thus 
deceived, and has so much evil been said of the admiral 
and his motives, wrongfully ?” 

“What hath been said ?” quietly; demanded Columbus. 
“ Speak freely ; thou hast naught to dread from my dis- 
pleasure.” 

“Sefior, you have your enemies, as well as another, and 
the wives, and mothers, and the betrothed of Palos, have 
not been slow to give vent to their feelings. In the first 
place, they say that you are poor.” 

“ That is so true and manifest, good woman, it would be 
idle to deny it. Is poverty a crime at Palos ? ” 

“ The poor are little respected, Sefior, in all this region. 
I know not why, for to me we seem to be as the rest, but 
few respect us. Then they say, Sefior, that you are not a 
Castilian, but a Genoese.” 

“ This is also true ; is that, too, a crime among the mari' 


i 7 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ners of Moguer, who ought to prize a people as much re* 
nowned for their deeds on the sea, as those of the superb 
republic ? ” 

“ I know not, Senor ; but many hold it to be a disad- 
vantage not to belong to Spain, and particularly to Castile, 
which is the country of Dona Isabella, herself ; and how 
can it be as honorable to be a Genoese as to be a Spaniard ? 
I should like it better were Pepe to sail with one who is a. 
Spaniard, and that, too, of Palos or Moguer/' 

“Thy argument is ingenious, if not conclusive,” re- 
turned Columbus, smiling, the only outward exhibition of 
feeling he betrayed — “ but cannot one who is both poor 
and a Genoese serve God ?” 

“ No doubt, Senor ; and I think better of this voyage 
since I know your motive, and since I have seen you and 
spoken with you. Still, it is a great sacrifice for a young 
wife to let her husband sail on a expedition so distrusted, 
and he the father of her only boy ! ” 

“ Here is a young noble, an only son, a lover, and that, 
too, of impetuous feelings, an only child withal, rich, hon- 
ored, and able to go whither he will, who not only embark- 
eth with me, but embarketh by the consent — nay, l had 
better say, by the orders of his mistress ! ” 

“ Is this so, Senor? ” the wife asked, eagerly. 

“So true, my good woman, that my greatest hopes de- 
pend on this voyage. Did I not tell thee that I went at the 
bidding of an angel ? ” 

“Ah ! these young lords have seductive tongues! But, 
Senor Almirante, since such is your quality, they say, more- 
over, that to you this voyage can only bring honors and 
good, while it may bring misery and death on your fol- 
lowers. Poor and unknown, it maketh you a high officer 
of the queen ; and some think that the Venetian galleys 
will be none the more heavily freighted, should you need 
them on the high seas.” 

“ And in what can all this harm thy husband ? I go 
whithersoever he goeth, share his dangers, and expose life 
for life with him. If there is gold gained by the advent- 
ure, he will not be forgotten ; and if heaven is made any 
nearer to us, by our dangers and hardships, Pepe will not 
be a loser. At the last great reckoning, woman, we shall 
not be asked who is poor, or who is a Genoese.” 

“ This is true, Sefior ; and yet it is hard for a young wife 
to part from her husband. Dost thou wish, in truth, to 
sail with the admiral, Pepe ? ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


177 


“ It matters little with me, Monica ; I am commanded to 
serve the queen, and we mariners have no right to ques- 
tion her authority. Now I have heard his excellency’s dis- 
course, I think less of the affair than before.” 

“ If God is really to be served in this voyage,” continued 
the woman, with dignity, “ thou shouldst not be backward, 
more than another, my husband. Senor, will you suffer 
Pepe to pass the night with his family, on condition that 
he goeth on board the Santa Maria in the morning ?” 

“ What certainty have I that this condition will be re- 
spected ? ” 

“ Senor, w T e are both Christians, and serve the same God 
— have been redeemed by the same Saviour.” 

“This is true, and I will confide in it. Pepe, thou canst 
remain until the morning, when I shall expect thee at thy 
station. There will be oarsmen enough, without thee.” 

The woman looked her thanks, and Columbus thought 
he read an assurance of good faith in her noble Spanish 
manner, and lofty look. As some trifling preparations 
were to be made before the boat could quit the shore, the 
admiral and Luis paced the sands the while, engaged in 
deep discourse. 

“ This hath been a specimen of what I have had to over- 
come and endure, in order to obtain even yonder humble 
means for effecting the good designs of Providence,” ob- 
served Columbus, mournfully, though he spoke without 
acrimony. “ It is a crime to be poor — to be a Genoese — 
to be aught else than the very thing that one’s judges and 
masters fancy themselves to be ! The day will come, 
Conde de Llera, when Genoa shall think herself in no 
manner disgraced, in having given birth to Christofero 
Colombo, and when your proud Castile will be willing to 
share with her in the dishonor! Thou little know’st, young 
lord, how far thou art on the road to renown, and toward 
high deeds, in having been born noble, and the master of 
large possessions. Thou seest me, here, a man already 
stricken in years, with ahead whitened by time and suffer- 
ings, and yet am I only on the threshold of the undertak- 
ing that is to give my name a place among those of the 
men who have served God, and advanced the welfare of 
their fellow-creatures.” 

“ Is not this the course of things, Sefior, throughout the 
earth ? Do not those who find themselves placed beneath 
the level of their merits, struggle to rise to the condition 
to which nature intended them to belong, while those 


12 


i7» 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


whom fortune hath favored through their ancestors, are 
too often content to live on honors that they have not 
•themselves won ? I see naught in this but the nature of 
man, and the course of the world.” 

“ Thou art right, Luis, but philosophy and fact are dif- 
ferent matters. We may reason calmly on principles, 
when their application in practice causeth much pain. 
Thou hast a frank and manly nature, young man ; one that 
dreadeth neither the gibe of the Christian, nor the lance 
of the Moor, and wilt answer to any, in fearlessness and 
truth. A Castillian thyself, dost, thou , too, really think one 
of thy kingdom better than one of Genoa ? ” 

“ Not vrhen he of Genoa is Christoval Colon, Senor, and 
he of Castile is only Luis de Bobadilla,” answered the 
young man, laughing. 

“ Nay, I will not be denied — hast thou any such notion 
as this, which the wife of Pepe hath so plainly avowed ? ” 
“What will you, Senor Christoval ? Man is the same in 
Spain, that he is among the Italians, or the English. Is it 
not his besetting sin to think good of himself, and evil of 
his neighbor ? ” 

“A plain question that is loyally put, may not be an- 
swered with a truism, Luis.” 

“ Nor a civil, honest reply confounded with one that is 
evasive. We of Castile are humble and most devout Chris- 
tians, by the same reason that we think ourselves faultless, 
and the rest of mankind notable sinners. By San Iago, of 
blessed faith and holy memory ! it is enough to make a 
people vain, to have produced such a queen as Dona Isa- 
bella, and such a maiden as Mercedes de Valverde ! ” 

“ This is double loyalty, for it is being true to the queen 
and to thy mistress. With this must I satisfy myself, even 
though it be no answer. But, Castilian though I am not, 
even the Guzmans have not ventured on the voyage to 
Cathay, and the House of Trastamara may yet be glad 
to acknowledge its indebtedness to a Genoese. God hath 
no respect to worldly condition, or worldly boundaries, in 
choosing his agents, for most of the saints were despised 
Hebrews, while Jesus, himself, came of Nazareth. We 
shall see, we shall see, young lord, what three months will 
reveal to the admiration of mankind.” 

“ Senor Almirante, I hope and pray it may be the island 
of Cipango and the realms of the great Khan ! should it 
not be so, we are men who can not only bear our toils, but 
who can bear our disappointments.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


179 


“ Of disappointments in this matter, Don Luis, I look for 
none — now that I have the royal faith of Isabella, and these 
good caravels to back me ; the drudge who sailetii from 
Madeira to Lisbon, is not more certain of gaining his port 
than I am certain of gaining Cathay.” 

“No doubt, Senor Colon, that what any navigator can 
do, you can do and will perform ; nevertheless, disap- 
pointment would seem to be the lot of man, and it might 
be well for all of us to be prepared to meet it.” 

“The sun that is just sinking beyond yon hill, Luis, is 
not plainer before my eyes than this route to the Indies. 
I have seen it, these seventeen years, distinct as the ves- 
sels in the river, bright as the polar star, and, I make lit- 
tle doubt, as faithfully. It is well to talk of disappoint- 
ments, since they are the lot of man ; and who can know 
this better than one that hath been led on by false hopes 
during all the better years of his life ; now encouraged by 
princes, statesmen, and churchmen ; and now derided and 
scoffed at as a vain projector, that hath neither reason nor 
fact to sustain him ! ” 

“ By my new patron, San Pedro ! Senor Almarante, but 
you have led a most grievous life, for this last age or so. 
The next three months will, indeed, be months of moment 
to you.” 

“ Thou little know’st the calmness of conviction and 
confidence, Luis,” returned Columbus, “if thou fanciest 
anv doubts beset me as the hour of trial approacheth. 
This day is the happiest I have known for many a weary 
year ; for, though the preparations are not great, and our 
barks are but slight and of trifling bulk, yonder lie the 
means through which a light, that hath long been hid, is 
about to break upon the world, and to raise Castile to an 
elevation surpassing that of any other Christian nation.” 

“ Thou must regret, Senor Colon, that it hath not been 
Genoa, thy native land, that is now about to receive this 
great boon, after having merited it by generous and free 
gifts, in behalf of this great voyage.” 

“ This hath not been the least of my sorrows, Luis. It 
is hard to desert one’s own country, and to seek new con- 
nections, as life draweth to a close, though we mariners, 
perhaps, feel the tie less than those who never quit the 
land. But Genoa would have none of me ; and if the 
child is bound to love and honor the parent, so is the par- 
ent equally bound to protect and foster the child. When 
the last forgets its duty, the first is not to be blamed if it 


i8o 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


seek support wherever it may be found. There are limits 
to every human duty; those we owe to God alone, never 
ceasing to require their fulfilment, and our unceasing at- 
tention. Genoa hath proved but a stern mother to me ; 
and though naught could induce me to raise a hand against 
her, she hath no longer any claims on my service. Be- 
sides, when the object in view is the service of God, it 
mattereth little with which of his creatures we league as 
instruments. One cannot easily hate the land of his birth, 
but injustice may lead him to cease to love it. The tie is 
mutual, and when the country ceaseth to protect person, 
character, property, or rights, the subject is liberated from 
all his duties. If allegiance goeth with protection, so 
should protection go with allegiance. Dona Isabella is 
now my mistress, and next to God, her will I serve, and 
serve only, Castile is henceforth my country.” 

At this moment it was announced that the pinnace 
waited, and the two adventurers immediately embarked. 

It must have required all the deep and fixed convictions 
of an ardent temperament, to induce Columbus to rejoice 
that he had, at length, obtained the means of satisfying his 
longings for discovery, when he came coolly to consider 
what those means were. The names of his vessels, the 
Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina, have already been 
mentioned, and some allusions have been made to their 
size and construction. Still it may aid the reader in form- 
ing his opinions of the character of this great enterprise, 
if we give a short sketch of the vessels, more especially 
that in which Columbus and Luis de Bobadilla were now 
received. She was, of course, the Santa Maria, a ship of 
nearly twice the burden of the craft next her in size. This 
vessel had been prepared with more care than the others, 
and some attention had been paid to the dignity and com- 
fort of the admiral she was destined to carry. Not only 
was she decked in, but a poop, or round-house, was con- 
structed on her quarter-deck, in which he had his berth. 
No proper notion can be obtained of the appearance of 
the Santa Maria, from the taunt-rigged, symmetrical, and 
low-sterned ships of the present time ; for, though the 
Santa Maria had both a poop and top-gallant-forecastle, as 
they would be termed to-day, neither was constructed in 
the snug and unobtrusive manner that is now used. The 
poop, or round-house, was called a castle, to which it had 
some fancied resemblance, while the top-gallant-forecastle, 
in which most of the people lived, was out of proportion 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 181 

large, rose like a separate structure on the bows of the 
vessel, and occupied about a third of the deck, from for- 
ward aft. To those who never saw the shipping that was 
used throughout Europe, a century since, it will not be 
very obvious how vessels so small could rise so far above 
the water, in safety ; but this difficulty may be explained ; 
many very old ships, that had some of the peculiarities of 
this construction, existing within the memory of man, and 
a few having fallen under our own immediate inspection. 
The bearings of these vessels were at the loaded water- 
lines, or very little above them, and they tumbled home, in 
a way to reduce their beams on their poop decks nearly, 
if not quite, a fourth. By these precautions, their great 
height out of the water was less dangerous than might 
otherwise have been the case ; and as they were uniformly 
short ships, possessing the advantages of lifting easily for- 
ward, and were, moreover, low-waisted, they might be con- 
sidered safe in a sea, rather than the reverse. Being so 
short, too, they had great beam for their tonnage, which, 
if not an element of speed, was at least one of security. 
Although termed ships, these vessels were not rigged in 
the manner of the ships of the present day, their standing 
spars being relatively longer than those now in use, while 
their upper, or shifting spars, were much less numerous, 
and much less important than those which now point up- 
ward, like needles, toward the clouds. Neither had a ship 
necessarily the same number of spars, in the fifteenth cen- 
tury, as belong to a ship in the nineteenth. The term it- 
self, as it was used in all the southern countries of Europe, 
being directly derived from the Latin word navis , was ap- 
plied rather as a generic than as a distinctive term, and by 
no means inferred any particular construction, or particu- 
lar rig. The caravel was a ship, in this sense, though not 
strictly so, perhaps, when we descend to the more minute 
classification of seamen. 

Much stress has been justly laid on the fact that two of 
the vessels in this extraordinary enterprise were undecked. 
In that day, when most sea voyages were made in a direc- 
tion parallel to the main coasts, and when even those that 
extended to the islands occupied but<a very few days, ves- 
sels were seldom far from the land ; and it was the custom 
of the mariners, a practice that has extended to our own 
times, in the southern seas of Europe, to seek a port at 
the approach of bad weather. Under such circumstances, 
decks were by no means as essential, either for the security 


1 82 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


of the craft, the protection of the cargo, or the comfort of 
the people, as in those cases in which the full fury of the 
elements must be encountered. Nevertheless, the reader 
is not to suppose a vessel entirely without any upper cov- 
ering, because she was not classed among those that were 
decked ; even such caravels, when used on the high seas, 
usually possessing quarter-decks and forecastles, with con- 
necting gangways ; depending on tarpaulings, and other 
similar preventives, to exclude the wash of the sea from 
injuring their cargoes. 

After all these explanations, however, it must be con- 
ceded, that the preparations for the great undertaking 
of Columbus, while the imaginations of landsmen prob- 
ably aggravate their incompleteness, strike the experi- 
enced seaman as altogether inadequate to its magnitude 
and risks. That the mariners of the day deemed them 
positively insufficient is improbable, for men as accustomed 
to the ocean as the Pinzons, would not have volunteered 
to risk their vessel, their money, and their persons, in an 
expedition that did not possess the ordinary means of se- 
curity. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

“ O’er the glad waters of the dark blue sea, 

Our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free, 

Far as the breeze can bear the billows foam, 

Survey our empire, and behold our home. ” — Byron. 

As Columbus sought his apartment, soon after he 
reached the deck of the Holy Maria, Luis had no farther 
opportunity to converse with him that night. He occu- 
pied a part of the same room, it is true, under the as- 
sumed appellation of the admiral’s secretary ; but the 
great navigator was so much engaged with duties neces- 
sary to be discharged previously to sailing, that he could 
not be interrupted, and the young man paced the nar- 
row limits of the deck until near midnight, thinking, as 
usual, of Mercedes,* and of his return, when, seeking 
his mattress, he found Columbus already buried in a deep 
sleep. 

The following day was Friday ; and it is worthy of re- 
mark, that the greatest and most successful voyage that 
has ever occurred on this globe, was commenced on a day 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


^3 

of the week that seamen have long deemed to be so inau- 
spicious to nautical enterprises, that they have often de- 
ferred sailing, in order to avoid the unknown, but dreaded 
consequences. Luis was among the first who appeared 
again on deck, and casting his eyes upward, he perceived 
that the admiral was already afoot, and in possession of 
the summit of the high poop, or castle, whose narrow lim 
its, indeed, were deemed sacred to the uses of the priv- 
Tleged, answering, in this particular, to the more extended 
promenade of the modern quarter-deck. Here it was that 
he who directed the movements of a squadron, over- 
looked its evolutions, threw out his signals, made his as- 
tronomical observations, and sought his recreation in the 
open air. The whole space on board the Santa Maria 
might have been some fifteen feet in one direction, and 
not quite as much in the other, making a convenient look- 
out, more from its exclusion and retirement, than from 
its dimensions. 

As soon as the admiral — or Don Christoval, as he was 
now termed by the Spaniards, since his appointment to his 
present high rank, which gave him the rights and condi- 
tion of a noble — as soon as Don Ghristoval caught a glance 
of Luis’ eye, he made a sign for the young man to ascend 
and take a position at his side. Although the expedition 
was so insignificant in numbers and force, not equalling^ 
in the latter particular, the power of a single modern sloop 
of war, the authority of the queen, the gravity and mien 
of Columbus himself, and, most of all, its own mysterious 
and unwonted object, had, from the first, thrown around 
it a dignity that was disproportioned to its visible means. 
Accustomed to control the passions of turbulent men, and 
aware of the great importance of impressing his followers 
with a sense of his high station and influence with the 
court, Columbus had kept much aloof from familiar inter- 
course with his subordinates, acting principally through 
the Pinzons and the other commanders, lest he might lose 
some portion of that respect which he foresaw would be* 
necessary to his objects. It needed not his long experi- 
ence to warn him that men, crowded together in so small 
a space, could only be kept in their social and professional 
stations, by the most rigid observance of forms and de- 
corum, and he had observed a due attention to these great 
requisites, in prescribing the manner in which his own 
personal service should be attended to, and his personal 
dignity supported. This is one of the great secrets of the 


1 84 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


discipline of a ship, for they who are incapable of reason- 
ing, can be made to feel, and no man is apt to despise him 
who is well entrenched behind the usages of deference 
and reserve. We see, daily, the influence of an appella- 
tion, or a commission, even the turbulent submitting to its 
authority, when they might resist the same lawful com- 
mands issuing from an apparently less elevated source. 

“Thou wilt keep much near my person, Senor Gutier-^ 
rez,” said the admiral, using the feigned name which Luis 
affected to conceal under that of Pedro de Munos, as he 
knew a ship was never safe from eavesdroppers, and was 
willing that the young noble should pass as the gentleman 
of the king’s bedchamber; “this is our station, and here 
we may remain much of our time, until God, in his holy 
and wise providence, shall have opened the way for us to 
Cathay, and brought us near the throne of the Great 
Khan. Here is our course, and along this track of path- 
less ocean it is my intention to steer.” 

As Columbus spoke, he pointed to a chart that lay 
spread before him on an arm-chest, passing a finger calmly 
along the line he intended to pursue. The coast of Europe, 
in its general outlines, was laid down on this chart, with as 
much accuracy as the geographical knowledge of the day 
would furnish, and a range of land extended southward as 
far as Guinea, all beyond which region was terra incognita 
to the learned world at that time. The Canaries and the 
Azores, which had been discovered some generations 
earlier, occupied their proper places, while the western 
side of the Atlantic was bounded by a fancied delineation 
of the eastern coast of India, or of Cathay, buttressed by 
the island of Cipango, or Japan, and an Archipelago, that 
had been represented principally after the accounts of 
Marco Polo and his relatives. By a fortunate misconcep- 
tion, Cipango had been placed in a longitude that corres- 
ponded very nearly with that of Washington, or some two 
thousand leagues east of the position in which it is actually 
to be found. This error of Columbus, in relation to the ex- 
tent of the circumference of the globe, in the end, most 
probably saved his hardy enterprise from becominga failure. 

Luis, for the first time since he had been engaged in the 
expedition, cast his eyes over this chart, with some curi- 
osity, and he felt a noble desire to solve the great problem 
rising within him, as he thus saw, at a glance, all the vast 
results, as well as the interesting natural phenomena, that 
were dependent on the issue. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


i8 5 


“ By San Gennaro of Napoli !” he exclaimed — The only 
affectation the young noble had, was a habit of invoking 
the saints of the different countries he had visited, and of 
using the little oaths and exclamations of distant lands, a 
summary mode of both letting the world know how far he 
had journeyed, as well as a portion of the improvement he 
had derived from his travels — “ By San Gennaro, Senor 
Don Christoval, but this voyage will be one of exceed- 
ing merit, if we ever find our way across this great belt 
of water ; and greater still, should we ever manage to 
return ! ” 

“ The last difficulty is the one, at this moment, upper- 
most in the minds of most in this vessel,” answered Colum- 
bus. “ Dost thou not perceive, Don Luis, the grave and 
dejected countenances of the mariners, and hearest thou 
the wailings that are rising from the shore ? ” 

This remark caused the young man to raise his eyes 
from the chart, and to take a survey of the scene around 
him. The Nifia, a light felucca, in fact, was already under 
way, and brushing past them under a lateen foresail, her 
sides thronged with boats filled with people, no small por- 
tion of whom were females and children, and most of whom 
were wringing their hands and raising piteous cries of 
despair. The Pinta was in the act of being cast ; and 
although the authority of Martin Alonzo Pinzon had the 
effect to render their grief less clamorous, her sides were 
surrounded by a similar crowd, while numberless boats 
plied around the Santa Maria herself ; the authority and 
dignity of the admiral alone keeping them at a distance. 
It was evident that most of those who remained, fancied 
that they now saw their departing relations for the last 
time, while no small portion of those who were on the eve 
of sailing, believed they were on the point of quitting 
Spain forever. 

“ Hast looked for Pepe, this morning, among our peo- 
ple ? ” demanded Columbus, the incident of the young 
sailor recurring to his thoughts, for the first time that 
morning ; “if he prove false to his word, we may regard 
it as an evil omen, and have an eye on all our followers, 
while there is a chance of escape.” 

“If his absence would be an omen of evil, Sefior Al- 
mirante, his presence ought to be received as an omen of 
good. The noble fellow is on this yard, above our heads, 
loosening the sail.” 

Columbus turned his eyes upward, and there, indeed, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


1 86 


was the young mariner in question, poised on the extreme 
and attenuated end of the lateen yard, that ships even then 
carried on their after-masts, swinging in the wind while 
he loosened the gasket that kept the canvas in its folds. 
Occasionally he looked beneath him, anxious to discover 
if his return had been noted ; and, once or twice, his hands, 
usually so nimble, lingered in their employment, as he cast 
glances over the stern of the vessel, as if one also drew 
his attention in that quarter. Columbus made a sign of 
recognition to the gratified young mariner, who instantly 
permitted the canvas to fall ; and then he walked to the 
taffrail, accompanied by Luis, in order to ascertain if any 
boat was near the ship. There, indeed, close to the vessel, 
lay a skiff, rowed by Monica alone, and which had been 
permitted to approach so near on account of the sex of its 
occupant. The moment the wife of Pepe observed the 
form of the admiral, she arose from her seat, and clasped 
her hands toward him, desirous, but afraid, to speak. 
Perceiving that the woman was awed by the bustle, the 
crowd of persons, and the appearance of the ship, which 
she was almost near enough to touch with her hand, 
Columbus addressed her. He spoke mildly, and his looks, 
usually so grave, and sometimes even stern, were softened 
to an expression of gentleness that Luis had never before 
witnessed. 

“ I see that thy husband hath been true to his promise, 
good woman,” he said ; “ and I doubt not that thou hast 
told him it is wiser and better manfully to serve the queen, 
than to live under the disgrace of a runaway.” 

“ Senor, I have. I give Dona Isabella my husband, 
without a murmur, if not cheerfully, now I know that you 
go forth to serve God. I see the wickedness of my re- 
pinings, and shall pray that he may be foremost, on all 
occasions, until the ears of the Infidel shall be opened to 
the words of the true faith.” 

“This is said like a Spanish. wife, and a Christian wom- 
an ! Our lives are in the care of Providence, and doubt not 
of seeing Pepe, in health and safety, after he hath visited 
Cathay, and done his share in its discovery.” 

“Ah! Senor — when?” exclaimed the wife, unable, in 
spite of her assumed fortitude, and the strong feelings of 
religious duty, to suppress the impulses of a woman. 

“ In God’s time, my good — how art thou named ?” 

“Monica, Senor Almirante, and my husband is called 
Pepe ; and the boy, the poor, fatherless child, hath been 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


187 


christened Juan. We have no Moorish blood, but are 
pure Spaniards, and I pray your Excellency to remember 
it, on such occasions as may call for more dangerous duty 
than common.” 

“Thou may’st depend on my care of the father of Juan,” 
returned the admiral, smiling, though a tear glistened in 
his eye. “ I, too, leave behind those that are dear to me* 
as my own soul, and among others a motherless son. 
Should aught serious befall our vessel, Diego would be an 
orphan ; whereas thy Juan would at least enjoy the care 
and affection of her who brought him into the world.” 

“ Senor, a thousand pardons ! ” said the woman, much 
touched by the feeling that was betrayed by the admiral 
in his voice. “We are selfish, and forget that others have 
sorrows, when we feel our own too keenly. Go forth, in 
God’s name, and do his holy will — take my husband with 
you ; I only wish that little Juan was old enough to be his 
companion.” 

Monica could utter no more, but dashing the tears from 
her eyes, she resumed the oars, and pulled the little skiff 
slowly, as if the inanimate machine felt the reluctance of 
the hands that propelled it, toward the land. The short 
dialogue just related, had been carried on in voices so loud 
as to be heard by all near the speakers ; and when Colum- 
bus turned from the boat, he saw that many of his crew 
had been hanging suspended in the rigging, or on the 
yards, eagerly listening to what had been said. At this 
precise instant the anchor of the Santa Maria was raised 
from the bottom, and the ship’s head began to incline from 
the direction of the wind. At the next moment, the flap 
of the large square foresail that crafts of her rig then car- 
ried, was heard, and in the course of the next five minutes, 
the three vessels were standing slowly but steadily down 
the current of the Odiel, in one of the arms of which 
river they had been anchored, holding their course toward 
a bar near its mouth. The sun had not yet risen, or rather 
it rose over the hills of Spain, a fiery ball, just as the sails 
were set, gilding with a melancholy glory, a coast that not 
a few in the different vessels apprehended they were look- 
ing upon for the last time. Many of the boats clung to 
the two smaller craft until they reached the bar of Saltes, 
an hour or two later, and some still persevered until they 
began to toss in the long waves of the breathing ocean, 
when, the wind being fresh at the west, they reluctantly 
cast off, one by one, amid sighs and groans. The liberated 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


1 83 

ships, in the meanwhile, moved steadily into the blue 
waters of the shoreless Atlantic, like human beings silent- 
ly impelled by their destinies toward fates that they can 
neither foresee* control, nor avoid. 

The day was fine, and the wind both brisk and fair. 
Thus far the omens were propitious ; but the unknown 
future threw a cloud over the feelings of a large portion 
of those who were thus quitting in gloomy uncertainty, 
all that was most dear to them. It was known that the 
admiral intended making the best of his way toward the 
Canaries, thence to enter on the unknown and hitherto 
untrodden paths of the desert ocean that lay beyond. 
Those who doubted, therefore, fixed upon those islands as 
the points where their real dangers were to commence, 
and already looked forward to their appearance in the 
horizon, with feelings akin to those with which the guilty 
regard the day of trial, the condemned the morning of ex- 
ecution, or the sinner the bed of death. Many, however, 
were superior to this weakness, having steeled their nerves 
and prepared their minds for any hazards, though the feel- 
ings of nearly all fluctuated ; there being hours when hope, 
and anticipations of success, seemed to cheer the entire 
crews ; and then moments would occur, in which the dis- 
position was to common doubts, and a despondency that 
was nearly general. 

A voyage to the Canaries, or the Azores, in that age, 
was most probably to be classed among the hardiest ex- 
ploits of seamen. The distance was not as great, certain- 
ly, as many of their more ordinary excursions, for ves- 
sels frequently went, even in the same direction, as far as 
the Cape de Verdes ; but all the other European passages 
lay along the land, and in the Mediterranean the seaman 
felt that he was navigating within known limits, and was 
apt to consider himself as embayed within the boundaries 
of human knowledge. On the contrary, while sailing on 
the broad Atlantic, he was, in some respects, placed in a 
situation resembling that of the aeronaut, who, while float- 
ing in the higher currents of the atmosphere, sees beneath 
him the earth as his only alighting place, the blue void of 
untravelled space stretching in all other directions about 
him. 

The Canary Isles, were known to the ancients. Juba, 
the king of Mauritania, who was a contemporary of Caesar, 
is said to have described them with tolerable accuracy, 
under the general name of the Fortunate Isles. The work 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


189 


itself has been lost, but the fact is known through the evi- 
dence of other writers ; and by the same means it is known 
that they possessed, even in that remote age, a population 
that had made some respectable advances toward civiliza- 
tion. But in the process of time, and during the dark 
period that succeeded the brightness of the Roman sway, 
even the position of these islands was lost to the Europeans ; 
nor was it again ascertained until the first half of the four- 
teenth century, when they were discovered by certain fugi- 
tive Spaniards who were hard pressed by the Moors. After 
this, the Portuguese, then the most hardy navigators of 
the known world, got possession of one or two of them, and 
made them the starting points for their voyages of discov- 
ery along the coast of Guinea. As the Spaniards reduced 
the power of the Mussulmans, and regained their ancient 
sway in the peninsula, they once more turned their atten- 
tion in this direction, conquering the natives of several of 
the other islands, the group belonging equally to those 
two Christian nations, at the time of our narrative. 

Luis de Bobadilla, who had navigated extensively in the 
more northern seas, and who had passed and repassed the 
Mediterranean in various directions, knew nothing of these 
islands except by report ; and as they stood on the poop, 
Columbus pointed out to him their position, and explained 
their different characters ; relating his intentions in con- 
nection with them, dwelling on the supplies they afforded, 
and on their facilities as a point of departure. 

“ The Portuguese have profited much by their use of 
these islands,” said Columbus, “as a place for victualling, 
and wooding, and watering, and I see no reason why Cas- 
tile may not, now, imitate their example, and receive her 
share of the benefits. Thou seest how far south our neigh- 
bors have penetrated, and what a trade and how much 
riches are flowing into Lisbon through these noble enter- 
prizes, which, notwithstanding, are but as a bucket of water 
in the ocean, when compared with the wealth of Cathay 
and all the mighty consequences that are to follow from 
this western voyage of ours.” 

“ Dost thou expect to reach the territories of the Great 
Khan, Don Christoval,” demanded Luis, “within a distance 
as small as that to which the Portuguese hath gone south- 
wardly ? ” 

The r^vigator looked warily around, to ascertain who 
might hear his words, and finding that no one was within 
reach of the sound of his voice while he used a proper cau- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


190 

tion, he lowered its tones; and answered in a manner which 
greatly flattered his young companion, as it proved that 
the admiral was disposed to treat him with the frankness 
and confidence of a friend. 

“ Thou know’st, Don Luis,” the navigator resumed, “the 
nature of the spirits with whom we have to deal. I shall 
not even be certain of their services, so long as we con- 
tinue near the coast of Europe ; for naught is easier than 
for one of yonder craft to abandon me in the night, and to 
seek a haven on some known coast, seeking his justification 
in some fancied necessity.” 

“ Martin Alonzo is not a man to do that ignoble and 
unworthy act ! ” interrupted Luis. 

“He is not, my young friend, for a motive as base as 
fear,” returned Columbus, with a sort of thoughtful smile, 
which showed how truly and early he had dived into the 
real characters of those with whom he was associated. 
“ Martin Alonzo is a bold and intelligent navigator, and 
we- may look for good service at his hands, in all that 
toucheth resolution and perseverance. But the eyes of 
the Pinzons cannot be always open, and the knowledge of 
all the philosophers of the earth could make no resistance 
against the headlong impetuosity of a crew of alarmed 
mutineers. I do not feel certain of our own people while 
there is a hope of easy return ; much less of" men who are 
■vv not directly under my own eye and command. The ques- 
ploion thou hast asked, Luis, may not, therefore, be publicly 
answered, since the distance we are about to sail over would 
frighten our easily alarmed mariners. Thou art a cavalier ; 
a k,night of known courage, and may be depended on ; and 
I may tell thee, without fear of arousing any unworthy 
feeling, that the voyage on which we are now fairly em- 
barked hath never had a precedent on this earth, for its 
length, or for the loneliness of its way.” 

“And yet, Sefior, thou enterest on it with the confidence 
of a man certain of reaching his haven ?” 

“ Luis, thou hast well judged my feelings. As to all 
those common dreads of descents, and ascents, of the diffi- 
culties of a return, and of reaching the margin of the world, 
whence we may glide off into space, neither thou, nor I, 
shall be much subjected.” 

“By San Iago ! Senor Don Christoval, I have no very 
settled notions about these things. I have never known 
of any one who hath slidden off the earth into the air, it 
is true, nor do I much think that such a slide is likely to 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


191 

befall us and our good ships ; but on the other hand, we 
have as yet only doctrine to prove that the earth is round, 
and that it is possible to journey east, by sailing west. On 
these subjects, then, I hold myself neuter ; while, at the 
same time, thou may’st steer direct for the moon, and Luis 
de Bobadilla will be found at thy side.” 

“ Thou makest thyself less expert in science, mad-brained 
young noble, than is either true or necessary ; but we will 
say no more of this, at present. There will be sufficient 
leisure to make thee familiar with all my intricate reasons 
and familiar motives. And is not this, Don Luis, a most 
heavenly sight ? Here am I in the open ocean, honored 
by the two sovereigns with the dignity of their viceroy and 
admiral ; with a fleet that is commissioned by their High- 
nesses to carry the knowledge of their power and authority 
to the uttermost parts of the earth ; and, most of all, to 
raise the cross of our blessed Redeemer before the eyes of 
Infidels, who have never yet even heard his name, or, if 
they have, reverence it as little as a Christian would rever- 
ence the idols of the heathens ! ” 

This was said with the calm but deep enthusiasm that 
colored the entire character of the great navigator, render- 
ing him, at times, equally the subject of distrust and of 
profound respect. On Luis, as, indeed, on most others 
who lived in sufficient familiarity with the man to enable 
them to appreciate his motives, and to judge correctly of 
the uprightness of his views, the effect, however, was al- 
ways favorable, and probably would have been so had 
Mercedes never existed. The young man, himself, was not 
entirely without a tinge of enthusiasm, and, as is ever the 
case with the single-minded and generous, he best knew 
how to regard the impulses of those who were influenced 
by similar qualities. This answer was consequently in 
accordance with the feelings of the admiral, and they re- 
mained on the poop several hours, discoursing of the fut- 
ure, with the ardor of those who hoped for everything, 
but in a manner too discursive and general to render a 
record of the dialogue easy or necessary. 

It was eight o’clock in the morning when the vessels 
passed the bar of Saltes, and the day had far advanced be- 
fore the navigators had lost sight of the familiar eminences 
that lay around Palos, and the other well-known land- 
marks of the coast. The course was due south, and, as the 
vessels of that day were lightly sparred, and spread com- 
paratively very little canvas, when considered in connec- 


jg2 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


tion with the more dashing navigation of our own times, 
the rate of sailing was slow, and far from promising a 
speedy termination to a voyage that all knew must be long 
without a precedent, and which so many feared could 
never have an end. Two marine leagues, of three English 
miles, an hour, was good progress for a vessel at that day, 
even with a fresh and favorable wind ; though there are a 
few memorable days’ works set down by Columbus him- 
self, which approach to a hundred and sixty miles in the 
twenty-four hours, and which are evidently noted as a 
speed of which a mariner might well be proud. In these 
days of locomotion and travelling, it is scarcely necessary 
to tell the intelligent reader this is but a little more than 
half the distance that is sailed over by a fast ship, under 
similar circumstances, and in our own time. ’ 

Thus the sun set upon the adventurers, in this celebrated 
voyage, when they had sailed with a strong breeze, to use 
the words of Columbus’ own record, Some eleven hours, 
after quitting the bar. By this time, they had made good 
less than fifty miles, in a due south course from the place 
of their departure. The land in the neighborhood of Palos 
had entirely sunk behind the watery margin of the ocean, 
in that direction, and the coast trending eastward, it was 
only here and there that the misty summits of a few of the 
mountains of Seville could just be discovered by the ex- 
perienced eyes of the older mariners, as the glowing ball of 
the sun sunk into the watery bed of the western horizon, 
and disappeared from view. At this precise moment, Co- 
lumbus and Luis were again on the poop, watching, with 
melancholy interest, the last shadows cast by Spanish land, 
while two seamen were at work near them, splicing a rope 
that had been chafed asunder. The latter were seated on 
the deck, and as, out of respect to the admiral, they had 
taken their places a little on one side, their presence was 
not at first noted. 

“ There setteth the sun beneath the waves of the wide 
Atlantic, Sefior Gutierrez,” observed the admiral, who was 
ever cautious to use one or the other of Luis’ feigned ap- 
pellations, whenever any person was near. “ There the 
sun quitteth us, Pero, and in his daily course I see a proof 
of the globular form of the earth ; and of the truth of a 
theory which teacheth us that Cathay may be reached by 
the western voyage.” 

“I am ever ready to admit the wisdom of all your plans, 
expectations, and thoughts, Sefior Don Christoval,” re- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


J 93 


turned the young man, punctiliously observant of respect, 
both in speech and manner ; “ but I confess I cannot see 
what the daily course of the sun has to do with the posi- 
tion of Cathay, or with the road that leads to it. We know 
that the great luminary travelleth the heavens without 
ceasing, that it cometh up out of the sea in the morning, 
and goeth down to its watery bed at night ; but this it doth 
on the coast of Castile, as well as on that of Cathay ; and, 
therefore, to me it doth appear, that no particular infer- 
ence, for or against our success, is to be drawn from the 
circumstance." 

As this was said, the two sailors ceased working, look 
ing curiously up into the face of the admiral, anxious to 
hear his reply. By this movement Luis perceived that one 
was Pepe, to whom he gave a nod of recognition, while the 
other was a stranger. The last had every appearance of a 
thorough-bred seaman of that period, or of being, what 
would have been termed in English, and the more northern 
languages of Europe, a regular “ sea-dog a term that 
expresses the idea of a man so completely identified with 
the ocean by habit, as to have had his exterior, his 
thoughts, his language, and even his morality, colored by 
the association. This sailor was approaching fifty, was 
short, square, athletic and still active, but there was a mix- 
ture of the animal with the intellectual creature about his 
coarse, heavy features, that is very usual in the counte- 
nances of men of native humor and strong sense, whose 
habits have been coarse and sensual. That he was a prime 
seaman, Columbus knew at a glance, not only from his 
general appearance, but from his occupation, which was 
such as only fell to the lot of the most skilful men of every 
crew. 

“ I reason after this fashion, Senor,” answered the ad- 
miral, as soon as his eye turned from the glance that he, 
too, had thrown upon the men ; “ the sun is not made to 
journey thus around the earth without a sufficient motive, 
the providence of God being ruled by infinite wisdom. It 
is not probable that a luminary so generous and useful 
should be intended to waste any of its benefits ; and we are 
certain already that day and night journey westward over 
this earth as far as it is known to us, whence I infer that 
the system is harmonious, and the benefits of the great orb 
are unceasingly bestowed on man, reaching one spot on 
the earth as it quits another. The sun that hath just left 
us is still visible in the Azores, and will be seen again at 

13 


194 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Smyrna, and among the Grecian Islands, an hour, or more, 
before it again meets our eves. Nature hath designed 
naught for uselessness ; and I believe that Cathay will be 
enlightened by that ball which hath just left us, while we 
shall be in the deepest hour of the night, to return by its 
eastern path, across the great continent of Asia, and to 
greet us again in the morning. In a word, friend Pedro, 
that which Sol is now doing with such nimble speed in the 
heavens, we are more humbly imitating in our own cara- 
vels ; give us sufficient time, and we, too, might traverse 
the earth, coming in from our journey by the land of the 
Tartars and the Persians.” 

“ From all which you infer that the world is round, 
wherein we are to find the certainty of our success ?” 

“ This is so true, Senor de Munos, that I should be sorry 
to think any man who nowsaileth under my command did 
not admit it. Here are two seaman who have been listen- 
ing to our discourse, and we will question them, that we 
may know the opinions of men accustomed to the ocean. 
Thou art the husband with whom I held discourse on the 
sands, the past evening, and thy name is Pepe ? ” 

“ Senor Almirante, your Excellency’s memory doth me 
too much honor, in not forgetting a face that is altogether 
unworthy of being noticed and remembered.” 

“ It is an honest face, friend, and no doubt speaketh for 
a true heart. I shall count on thee as a sure support, let 
things go as they may.” 

“ His Excellency hath not only a right to command me, 
as her Highness’ admiral, but he hath now the good-will 
of Monica, and that is much the same as having gained her 
husband.” 

“ I thank thee, honest Pepe, and shall count on thee, 
with certainty, in future,” answered Columbus, turning to- 
ward the other seaman. “ And thou, shipmate — thou hast 
the air of one that the sight of troubled water will not 
alarm — thou hast a name ? ” 

“That I have, noble admiral,” returned the fellow, look- 
ing up with a freedom that denoted one used to have his 
say ; “ though it hath neither a Don, nor a Sefior, to take 
it in tow. My intimates commonly call out Sancho, when 
pressed for time, and when civility gets the better of haste 
they add Mundo, making Sancho Mundo for the whole 
name of a very poor man.” 

“ Mundo is a large name for so small a person,” said 
the admiral, smiling, for he foresaw the expediency of 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


195 


having friends among his crew, and knew men sufficiently 
to understand that, while undue familiarity undermined 
respect, a little unbending had a tendency to win hearts. 
u I wonder that thou shouldst venture to wear a sound so 
lofty ! ” 

“ I tell my fellows, your Excellency, that Mundo is my 
title, and not my name ; but that I am greater than kings, 
even, who are content to take their titles from a part of 
that, of which I bear all.” 

“ And were thy father and thy mother called Mundo, 
also ? Or is this name taken in order to give thee an 
occasion to show thy smartness, when questioned by thy 
officers ? ” 

“ As for the good people you deign to mention, Sefior 
Don Almirante, I shall leave them to answer for themselves, 
and that for the simple reason that I do not knowhow they 
were called, or whether they had any names at all. They 
tell me I was found, when a few hours old, under a worn- 
out basket at the ship-yard gate of old ” 

“ Never mind the precise spot, friend Sancho — thou wert 
found with a basket fora cradle, and that maketh a volume 
in thy history at once.” 

“ Nay, Excellency, I would not leave the spot a place of 
dispute hereafter — but it shall be as you please. They say 
no one here knoweth exactly where we are going, and it 
will be more suitable that the like ignorance should rest 
over the places whence we came. But having the world 
before me, they that christened me gave me as much of it 
as was to be got by a name.” 

“ Thou hast been long a mariner, Sancho Mundo — if 
Mundo thou wilt be.” 

“ So long, Senor, that it sickeneth me, and taketh away 
the appetite to walk on solid ground. Being so near the 
gate it was no great matter to put me into the ship- 
yard, and I was launched one day in a caravel, and got to 
sea in her, no one knows how. From that time I have sub- 
mitted to fate, and go out again, as soon as possible, after 
I come into port.” 

“ And by what lucky chance have I obtained thy services, 
good Sancho, in this great expedition ?” 

“ The authorities of Moguer took me under the queen’s 
order, your Excellency, thinking that this voyage would be 
more to my mind than another, as it was likely never to 
have an end.” 

“ Art thou a compelled adventurer on this service ?” 


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MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


“ Not I, Senor Don Almirante, although they who sent 
me here fancy as much. It is natural for a man to wish to 
see his estates once in his life, and I am told that we are 
bound on a voyage to the other side of the world. God for- 
bid that I should hold aloof on such an occasion.” 

“ Thou art a Christian, Sancho, and hast a desire to aid 
in carrying the cross among the heathen ? ” 

“ Sefior, your Excellency, Don Almirante, it matters 
little to Sancho with what the barque is laden, so that she 
do not need much pumping, and that the garlic is good. 
If I am not a very devout Christian, it is the fault of them 
that found me near the ship-yard gate, since the church 
and the font are both within call from that very spot. I 
know that Pepe, here, is a Christian, senor, for I saw him 
in the arms of the priest, and I doubt not that there are 
old men at Moguer who can testify to as much in my be- 
half. At all hazards, noble admiral, I will take on myself 
to say that I am neither Jew nor Mussulman.” 

“ Sancho, thou hast that about thee that bespeakest a 
skilful and bold mariner.” 

“ For both of these qualities, Senor Don Colon, let others 
speak. When the gale cometh your own eyes may judge 
of the first ; and when the caravel shall reach the edge of 
the earth, whither some think it is bound, there will be a 
good occasion to see who can and who cannot look off 
without trembling.” 

“It is enough ; I count both thee and Pepe as among 
my truest followers.” As Columbus said this he walked 
away, resuming the dignified gravity that usually was 
seated in his countenance, and which so much aided his 
authority, by impressing the minds of others with respect. 
In a few minutes he and Luis descended to their cabin. 

“I marvel, Sancho,” said Pepe, as soon as he and his 
messmate were left alone on the poop, “that thou wilt vent- 
ure to use thy tongue so freely, even in the presence of 
one that beareth about with him the queen’s authority < 
Dost thou not fear to offend the admiral ?” 

“ So much for having a wife and a child ! Canst thou not 
make any difference between them that have had ances- 
tors, and who have descendants, and one that hath no other 
tie in the world than his name ? The Senor Don Almir- 
ante is either an exceeding great man, and chosen by Provi- 
dence to open the way into the unknown seas of which he 
speaketh, or he is but a hungry Genoese, that is leading 
us he knoweth not whither, that he may eat, and drink, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


1 97 


and sleep, in honor, while we are toiling at his heels, like 
patient mules dragging the load that the horse despiseth. 
In the one case he is too great and exalted to heed idle 
words ; and in the other, what is there too bad for a Cas- 
tilian to tell him ? ” 

“Ay, thou art fond of calling thyself a Castilian, in spite 
of the ship-yard and the basket, and notwithstanding Mo- 
guer is in Seville.” 

“ Harkee, Pepe ; is not the queen of Castile our mis- 
tress ? And are not subjects — true and lawful subjects, I 
mean, like thee and me — are not such subjects worthy of 
being the queen’s countrymen? Never disparage thyself, 
good Pepe, for thou wilt ever find the world ready enough 
to do that favor for thee. As to this Genoese, he shall be 
either friend or enemy to Sancho. If the first, I expect 
much consolation from it ; if the last, let him hunt for his 
Cathay till doomsday, he shall be never the wiser.” 

“Well, Sancho, if words can make a voyage, or mar a 
voyage, thou art a ready mariner ; none know how to dis- 
course better than thou.” 

Here the men both rose, having completed their work, 
and they left the poop, descending among the rest of the 
crew. Columbus had not miscalculated his aim, his words 
and condescension having produced a most favorable effect 
on the mind of Sancho Mundo, for so the man was actu- 
ally called ; and in gaining one of as ready a wit and loose 
a tongue for a friend, he obtained an ally who was not to 
be despised. Of such materials and with the support of 
such instruments as this is success too often composed ; it 
being possible for the discovery of a world, even, to depend 
on the good word of one less qualified to influence opinions 
than Sancho Mundo. 


CHAPTER XV. 

** While you here do snoring lie, 

Open-ey’d Conspiracy 
His time doth take : 

If of life you keep a care, 

Shake off slumber, and beware j 
Awake ! Awake ! ” — A riel. 

The wind continuing fair the three vessels made good 
progress in the direction of the Canaries ; Sunday, in par- 
ticular, proving a propitious day, the expedition making 


198 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


more than one hundred and twenty miles in the course of 
the twenty-four hours. The wind still continued favora- 
ble, and on the morning of Monday, the 6th of August, 
Columbus was cheerfully conversing with Luis and one 
or two other companions who were standing near him on 
the poop, when the Pinta was seen suddenly to take in 
her forward sails, and to come up briskly, not to say awk- 
wardly, to the wind. This manoeuvre denoted some acci- 
dent, and the Santa Maria fortunately having the advan- 
tage of the wind, immediately edged away to speak her 
consort. 

“ How now, Senor Martin Alonzo,” hailed the admiral, 
as the two caravels came near enough together to speak 
each other. “ For what reason hast thou so suddenly 
paused in thy course?” 

“Fortune would have it so, Senor Don Christoval, see- 
ing that the rudder of the good caravel hath broken 
loose, and we must fain secure it ere we may again trust 
ourselves to the breeze.” 

A severe frown came over the grave countenance of the 
great navigator, and after bidding Martin Alonzo do his 
best to repair the damage, he paced the deck, greatly dis- 
turbed, for several minutes. Observing how much the 
admiral took this accident to heart, the rest descended to 
the deck below, leaving Columbus alone with the pre- 
tended groom of the king’s chamber. 

“ I trust, Senor, this is no serious injury, or one in any 
way likely to retard our advance,” said Luis, after mani- 
festing that respect which all near him felt for the admiral 
by a pause. “ I know honest Martin Alonzo to be a ready 
seaman, and should think his expedients might easily serve 
to get us as far as the Canaries, where greater damages can 
meet with their remedies.” 

“Thou say’st true, Luis, and we will hope for the best. 
I feel regret the sea is so high that we can offer no assist- 
ance to the Pinta, but Martin Alonzo is, indeed, an expert 
mariner, and on his ingenuity we must rely. My concern, 
however, hath another and a deeper source than the un- 
loosing of this rudder, serious as such an injury ever is to 
a vessel at sea. Thou know’st that the Pinta hath been 
furnished to the service of the queen, under the order 
claiming the forfeited duty from the delinquents of Palos, 
and sorely against the will of the caravel’s owners hath 
the vessel been taken. Now these persons, Gomez Ras- 
con and Christoval Quintero, are on board her, and, I 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


'91 


question not, have designed this accident. Their artifices 
were practised long, to our delay, before quitting the 
haven, and, it would seem, are to be continued to our 
prejudice here on the open ocean.” 

“ By the allegiance I owe the Dona Isabella ! Senor Don 
Christoval, but I would find a speedy cure for such a trea- 
son, if the office of punishment rested with me. Let me 
jump into the skill and repair to the Pinta, where I will 
tell these Masters Rascon and Quintero that should their 
rudder ever dare to break loose again, or should any other 
similar and untoward accident chance to arrive, the first 
shall be hanged at the yard of his own caravel, and the last 
be cast into the sea to examine into the state of her bot- 
tom, the rudder included.” 

“We may not practise such high authority without 
great occasion and perfect certainty of guilt. I hold it to 
be wiser to seek another caravel at the Canaries, for, by 
this accident, I well see we shall not be rid of the artifices 
of the two owners until we are rid of their vessel. It will 
be hazardous to launch the skiff in this sea, or I would 
proceed to the Pinta myself ; but as it is, let us have con- 
fidence in Martin Alonzo and his skill.” 

Columbus thus encouraged the people of the Pinta to 
exert themselves, and in about an hour or two, the three 
vessels were again making the best of their way toward 
the Canaries. Notwithstanding the delay, nearly ninety 
miles were made good in the course of the day and night. 
But the following morning the rudder again broke loose, 
and, as the damage was more serious than in the former 
instance, it was still more difficult to repair. These re- 
peated accidents gave the admiral great concern, for he 
took them to be so many indications of the disaffection of 
his followers. He fully determined, in consequence, to 
get rid of the Pinta, if it were possible to find another 
suitable vessel among the islands. As the progress of the 
vessels was much retarded by the accident, although the 
wind continued favorable, the expedition only got some 
sixty miles, this day, nearer to its place of destination. 

On the following morning, the three vessels came within 
hail of each other ; and a comparison of the nautical skill 
of the different navigators, or pilots, as it was then the 
custom to style them, took place, each offering his opinion 
as to the position of the vessels. 

It was not the least of the merits of Columbus, that he 
succeeded in his great experiment with the imperfect aid 


200 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


of the instruments then in use. The mariner’s compass, 
it is true, had been in common service quite a century, 
if not longer, though its variations — a knowledge of which 
is scarcely less important in long voyages than a knowl- 
edge of the instrument itself — were then unknown to sea- 
men, who seldom ventured far enough from the land to 
note these mysteries of nature, and who, as a class, still re- 
lied almost as much on the ordinary position of the heav- 
enly bodies to ascertain their routes, as on the nicer results 
of calculation. Columbus, however, was a striking excep- 
tion to this little-instructed class, have made himself thor- 
oughly acquainted with all the learning of the period that 
could be applied in his profession, or which might aid 
him in effecting the great purpose for which alone he now 
seemed to live. 

As might be expected, the comparison resulted.altogeth- 
er in the admiral’s favor, the pilots in general being soon 
convinced that he alone knew the true position of the ves- 
sels, a fact that was soon unanswerably determined by the 
appearance of the summits of the Canaries, which hove 
up out of the ocean, in a southeasterly direction, resem- 
bling well-defined dark clouds clustering in the horizon. 
As objects like these are seen at a great distance at sea, 
more especially in a transparent atmosphere, and the wind 
became light and variable, the vessels, notwithstanding, 
were unable to reach Grand Canary until Thursday, the 
8th of August, or nearly a week after they had left 
Palos. There they all ran in, and anchored in the usual 
haven. Columbus immediately set about making an 
inquiry for another caraval, but, proving unsuccessful, he 
sailed for Gomera, where he believed it might be easier 
to obtain the craft he wanted. While the admiral was 
thus employed with the Santa Maria and the Nina, Martin 
Alonzo remained in port, being unable to keep company 
in the crippled condition of the Pinta. But no suitable 
vessel being found, Columbus reluctantly returned to 
Grand Canary, and, after repairing the Pinta, which vessel 
was badly calked, among the other devices that had been 
adopted to get her free from the service, he sailed again 
for Gomera, from which island he was to take his final 
departure. 

During these several changes, a brooding discontent be- 
gan to increase among most of the common mariners, while 
some even of a higher class, were not altogether free from 
the most melancholy apprehensions for the future. While 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


201 


passing from Grand Canary to Gomera, with all his ves- 
sels, Columbus was again at his post, with Luis and his 
usual companions near him, when the admiral’s attention 
was drawn to a conversation that took place between a 
group of the men, who had collected near the main-mast. 
It was night, and there being little wind, the voices of the 
excited disputants reached further than they themselves 
were aware. 

“ I tell thee, Pepe,” said the most vociferous and most 
earnest of the speakers, “ that the night is not darker than 
the future of this crew. Look to the west, and what dost 
see there ? Who hath ever heard of land, after he hath 
quitted the Azores ; and who is so ignorant as not to know 
that Providence hath placed w T ater around all the conti- 
nents, with a few islands as stopping places for mariners, 
and spread the broad ocean beyond, with an intention to 
rebuke an over-eager curiosity to pry into matters that 
savor more of miracles than of common worldly things ?” 

“This is well, Pero,” answered Pepe ; “but I know that 
Monica thinks the admiral is sent of God, and that we may 
look forward to great discoveries, through his means ; and 
most especially to the spreading of religion among the 
heathens.” 

“ Ay, thy Monica should have been in Dona Isabella’s 
seat, so learned and positive is she in all matters, whether 
touching her own woman’s duties or thine own. She is 
thy queen, Pepe, as all in Maguer will swear ; and there 
are some who say she would gladly govern the port, as she 
governeth thee.” 

“Say naught against the mother of my child, Pero,” in- 
terrupted Pepe, angrily. “ I can bear thy idle words 
against myself, but he that speaketh ill of Monica will 
have a dangerous enemy.” 

“ Thou art bold of speech, Pero, when away a hundred 
leagues from thine own better nine-tenths,” put in a voice 
that Columbus and Luis both knew on the instant to be- 
long to Sancho Mundo, “and art bold enough to jeer Pepe 
touching Monica, when we all well know who command- 
eth in a certain cabin, where thou art as meek as a hooked 
dolphin, whatever thou may’st be here. But, enough of 
thy folly about women ; let us reason upon our knowl- 
edge as mariners, if thou wilt ; instead of asking questions 
of one like Pepe, who is too young to have had much ex- 
perience, I offer myself as thy catechist.” 

“ What hast thou , then, to say about this unknown land 


202 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE, 


that lieth beyond the great ocean, where man hath never 
been, or is at all likely to go with followers such as these ?” 

“ I have this to say, silly and idle-tongued Pero — that 
the time was when even the Canaries were unknown ; 
when mariners did not dare to pass the straits, and when 
the Portuguese knew nothing of their mines and Guinea, 
lands that I myself have visited, and where the noble Don 
Christoval hath also been, as I know on the testimony of 
mine own eyes.” 

“And what hath Guinea, or what have the mines of the 
Portuguese to do with this western voyage ? All know 
that there is a country called Africa ; and what is there 
surprising that mariners should reach a land that is known 
to exist ; but who knoweth that the ocean hath other con- 
tinents, any more than that the heavens have other 
earths ? ” 

“ This is well, Pero,” observed an attentive bystander ; 
“and Sancho will have to drain his wits to answer it.” 

“ It is well for those who wag their tongues like women, 
without thought of what they say,” coolly returned San- 
cho, “but will have little weight with Dona Isabella, or 
Don Almirante. Harkee, Pero, thou art like one that hath 
trodden the path between Palos and Moguer so often that 
thou fanciest there is no road to Seville or Granada. There 
must be a beginning to all things ; and this voyage is, out 
of doubt, the beginning of a voyage to Cathay. We go 
west instead of east, because it is the shorter way ; and 
because, moreover, it is the only way for a caravel. Now 
answer me, messmate, is it possible for a craft, let her size 
or rig be what it may, to pass over the hills and valleys of 
a continent — I mean under her canvas, and by fair sail- 
ing?” 

Sancho waited for a reply, and received a common and 
complete admission of the impossibility of the thing. 

“Then cast your eyes at the admiral’s chart, in the 
morning, as he keepeth it spread before him on the poop, 
yonder, and you will see that there is land from ore pole 
to the other, on each side of the Atlantic, thereby render- 
ing navigation impossible in any other direction than this 
we are now taking. The notion of Pero, therefore, runs 
in the teeth of nature.” 

“This is so true, Pero,” exclaimed another, the rest 
assenting, “ that thy mouth ought to be shut.” 

But Pero had a mouth that was not very easily closed ; 
and it is probable that his answer would have been to the 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


203 


full as acute and irrefutable as that of Sancho, had not a 
common exclamation of alarm and horror burst from all 
around him. The night was sufficiently clear to permit 
the gloomy outlines of the Peak of Teneriffe to be dis- 
tinctly visible, even at some distance ; and, just at that 
moment, flashes of flames shot upward from its pointed 
summit, illuminating, at instants, the huge pile, and then 
leaving it in shadowy darkness, ail object of mystery and 
terror. Many of the seamen dropped on their knees and 
began to tell their beads, while all, as it might be instinct- 
ively, crossed themselves. Next arose a general murmur; 
and in a few minutes, the men who slept were awoke, and 
appeared among their fellows, awe-struck and astounded 
spectators of the phenomenon. It was soon settled that 
the attention of the admiral should be drawm to this strange 
event, and Pero was selected for the spokesman. 

All this time, Columbus and his companions remained 
on the poop, and, as might have been expected, this un- 
looked-for change in the appearance of the Peak had not 
escaped their attention. Too enlightened to be alarmed 
by it, they were watching the workings of the mountain, 
when Pero, accompanied by nearly every sailor in the 
vessel, appeared on the quarter-deck. Silence having 
been obtained, Pero opened the subject of his mission 
with a zeal that was not a little stimulated by his fears. 

“ Senor Almirante,” he commenced, “ we have come to 
pray your Excellency to look at the summit of the- Island 
of Teneriffe, where we all think we see a solemn warn- 
ing against persevering in sailing into the unknown 
Atlantic. It is truly time for men to remember their 
weakness, and how much they owe to the goodness of 
God, when even the mountains vomit flames and smoke!” 

“ Have any here ever navigated the Mediterranean, or 
visited the island of which Don Ferdinand, the honored 
consort of our lady the queen, is master ? ” demanded 
Columbus, calmly. 

“ Senor Don Almirante,” hastily answered Sancho, “ I 
have done so, unworthy as I may seem to have enjoyed 
that advantage. And I have seen Cyprus, and Alexandria, 
and even Stamboul, the residence of the Great Turk.” 

“Well, then, thou may’st have also seemiEtna, another 
mountain which continueth to throw up those flames, in 
the midst of a nature and a scene on which Providence 
would seem to have smiled with unusual benignity, in- 
stead of angrily frowning, as ye seem to imagine.” 


204 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


Columbus then proceeded to give his people an expla- 
nation of the causes of volcanoes, referring to the gentle- 
men around him to corroborate the fidelity of his state- 
ments. He told them that he looked upon this little 
eruption as merely a natural occurrence ; or, if he saw any 
omen at all in the event, it was propitious rather than 
otherwise ; Providence seeming disposed to light them on 
their way. Luis and the rest next descended among the 
crew, where they used their reasoning powers in quieting 
an alarm that, at first, had threatened to be serious. For 
the moment they were successful, or perhaps it w r ould be 
better to say that they succeeded completely, so far as the ‘ 
phenomenon of the volcano w T as concerned, and this less 
by the arguments of the more intelligent of the officers, 
than by means of the testimony of Sancho, and one or two 
others of the common men, who had seen similar scenes 
elsewhere. With difficulties like these had the great navi- 
gator to contend, even after he had passed years in solici- 
tations to obtain the limited means which had been finally 
granted, in order to effect one of the sublimest achieve- 
ments that had yet crowned the enterprise of man ! 

The vessels reached Gomera on the 2d of September, 
where they remained several days, in order to complete 
their repairs, and to finish taking in their supplies, ere 
they finally left the civilized abodes of man, and what 
might then be deemed the limits of the known earth. 
The arrival of such an expedition, in an age when the 
means of communication were so few that events Avere 
generally their own announcers, had produced a strong 
sensation among the inhabitants of the different islands 
visited by the adventurers. Columbus was held in high 
honor among them, not only on account of the commission 
he had received from the two sovereigns, but on account of 
the magnitude and the romantic character of his under- 
taking. 

There existed a common belief among all the adjacent 
islands, including Madeira, the Azores, and the Canaries, 
that land lay to the westward ; their inhabitants living un- 
der a singular delusion in this particular, which the ad- 
miral had an occasion to detect, during his second visit to 
Gomera. Among the most distinguished persons w 7 ho 
were then on the island, was Dona Inez Peraza, the mother 
of the Count of Gomera. She w T as attended by a crowd of 
persons, not only belonging to her own, but who had come 
from other islands to do her honor. She entertained the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


205 


admiral in a manner suited to his high rank, admitting to 
her society such of the adventurers as Columbus saw fit to 
point out as worthy of the honor. Of course the pre- 
tended Pedro de Mufios, or Pero Gutierrez, as he was now 
indifferently termed, was of the number ; as, indeed were 
most of those who might be deemed any way suited to so 
high and polished a society. 

“ I rejoice, Don Christopher,” said Dona Inez Peraza, on 
this occasion, “ that their Highnesses have at length yielded 
to your desire to solve this. great problem, not only on ac- 
count of our Holy Church, /which, as you say, hath so deep 
an interest in your success, and the honor of the two sov- 
ereigns, and the welfare of Spain, and all the other great 
considerations that we have so freely touched upon in our 
discourse already, but on account of the worthy inhabi- 
tants of the Fortunate Islands, who have not only many 
traditions touching land in the west, but most of whom 
believe that they have more than once seen it, in that quar- 
ter, in the course of their lives.” 

“ I have heard of this, noble lady, and would be grate- 
ful to have the account from the mouths of eye-witnesses, 
now we are here, together, conversing freely concerning 
that which is of so much interest to us all.” 

“ Then, Senor, I will entreat this worthy cavalier, who is 
every way capable of doing the subject justice, to be 
spokesman for us, and to let you know what we all believe 
in these islands, and what so many of us fancy we have 
seen. Acquaint the admiral, Senor Dama, I pray thee, of 
the singular yearly view that we get of unknown land ly- 
ing afar off, in the Atlantic.” 

“ Most readily, Dona Inez, and all the more so at your 
gracious bidding,” returned the person addressed, who dis- 
posed himself to tell the story, with a readiness that the 
lovers of the wonderful are apt to betray when a fitting 
opportunity offers to indulge a favorite propensity. “ The 
illustrious admiral hath probably heard of the island of 
St. Brandan, that lieth some eighty or a hundred leagues 
to the westward of Ferro, and which hath been so often 
seen, but which no navigator hath yet been able to reach, 
in our days at least ? ” 

“ I have often heard of this fabled spot, Sefior,” the ad- 
miral gravely replied ; “but pardon me if I say that the 
land never yet existed, which a mariner hath seen and yet 
a mariner hath not reached.” 

“ Nay, noble admiral,” interrupted a dozen eager voices, 


206 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


among which that of the lady, herself, was very distinctly 
audible, “ that it hath been seen most here know ; and 
that it hath never been reached, is a fact to which more 
than one disappointed pilot can testify.” 

“ That which we have seen, we know; and that which 
we know, we can describe,” returned Columbus, steadily. 
“ Let any man tell me in what meridian, or on what par- 
allel this St. Brandan, or St. Barandon, lieth, and a week 
shall make me also certain of its existence.” 

“ J know little of meridians or parallels, Don Christo- 
pher,” said the Senor Dama, “but I have some ideas of 
visible things. This island hate I often seen, more or less 
plainly at different times ; and that, too, under the serenest 
skies, and at occasions when it was not possible greatly to 
mistake either its form or its dimensions. Once I remem- 
ber to have seen the sun set behind one of its heights.” 

“ This is plain evidence, and such as a navigator should 
respect ; and yet do I take what you imagine yourself to 
have seen, Senor, to be some illusion of the atmosphere.” 

“ Impossible ! — impossible ! ” was said or echoed, by a 
dozen voices. “ Hundreds yearly witness the appearance 
of St. Brandan, and its equally sudden and mysterious dis- 
appearance.” 

S Therein, noble lady and generous .cavalier, lieth the 
error into which ye have fallen. Ye see the Peak the year 
round ; and he who will cruise a hundred miles, north or 
south, east or west, of it, will continue to see it, the year 
round, except on such days as the state of the atmosphere 
may*forbid. The land which God hath created stationary, 
will be certain to remain stationary, until disturbed by 
some great convulsion that cometh equally of his provi- 
dence and his laws.” 

“ All this may be true, Seflor ; doubtless it is true ; but 
every rule hath its exceptions. You will not deny that 
God’ ruleth the world mysteriously, and that his ends are 
not always visible to human eyes. Else, why hath the 
Moor so long been permitted to rule in Spain"? why hath 
the Infidel, at this moment, possession of the Holy Sepul- 
chre ? why have the sovereigns been so long deaf to your 
own well-grounded wishes and entreaties to be permitted 
to carry their banners, in company with the cross, to Cathay, 
whither you are now bound ? Who knoweth that these 
appearances of St. Brandan may not be given as signs to 
encourage one like yourself, bent on still greater ends than 
even reaching its shores ? ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


207 


Columbus was an enthusiast ; but his was an enthusiasm 
that was seated in his reverence for the acknowledged 
mysteries of religion, which sought no other support from 
things incomprehensible, than might reasonably be thought 
to belong to the exercise of infallible wisdom, and which 
manifested a proper reverence for a Divine Power. Like 
most of that period, he believed in modern miracles ; and 
his dependence on the direct worldly efficacy of votive of- 
ferings, penances, and prayers, was such as marked the 
age in general, and his calling in particular. Still, his 
masculine understanding rejected the belief of vulgar 
prodigies ; and while he implicitly thought himself set 
apart and selected for the great work before him, he was 
not disposed to credit that an airy exhibition of an island 
was placed in the west to tempt mariners to follow its 
shadowy outline to the more distant regions of Cathay. 

“ That I feel the assurance of the Providence of God 
having selected me as the humble instrument of connect- 
ing Europe with Asia, by means of a direct voyage by sea, 
is certain,” returned the navigator, gravely, though his eye 
lighted with its latent enthusiasm ; “but I am far from in- 
dulging in the weakness of thinking that direct miraculous 
agencies are to be used to guide me on my way. It is 
more in conformity to the practice of divine wisdom, and 
certainly more grateful to my own self-love, that the means 
employed are such as a discreet pilot, and the most expe- 
rienced philosophers, might feel proud in finding them- 
selves selected to display. My thoughts have first been 
turned to the contemplation of this subject ; then hath my 
reason been enlightened by a due course of study and re- 
flection, and science hath aided in producing the conviction 
necessary to impel myself to proceed, and to enable me to 
induce others to join in this enterprise.” 

11 And do all your followers, noble admiral, act under the 
same guidance"? ” demanded the Dona Inez, glancing at 
Luis, whose manly graces and martial aspect had found 
favor in the eyes of most of the ladies of the island. “ Is 
the Senor Gutierrez equally enlightened in this manner? 
and hath he, too, devoted his nights to study, in order that 
the cross may be carried to the heathen, and Castile and 
Cathay may be more closely united ? ” 

“The Senor Gutierrez is a willing adventurer, Senora, 
but he must be the expounder of his own motives.” 

“Then we will call on the cavalier, himself, for an an- 
swer. These ladies feel a desire to know what may have 


2CS 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


impelled one who would be certain to succeed at the court 
of Dona Isabella, and in the Moorish wars, to join in such 
an expedition.” 

“ The Moorish wars are ended, Senora,” replied Luis, 
smiling ; “and Dona Isabella, and all the ladies of her 
court, most favor the youths who show a manly disposition 
to serve the interests, and to advance the honor of Castile. 
I know very little of philosophy, and have still smaller 
pretensions to the learning of churchmen ; but I think I 
see Cathay before me, shining like a brilliant star in the 
heavens, and am willing to adventure body and soul in its 
search.” 

Many pretty exclamations of admiration broke from the 
circle of fair listeners ; it being most easy for spirit to gain 
applause, when it is recommended by high personal ad- 
vantages, and comes from the young and favored. That 
Columbus, a weather-worn veteran of the ocean, should 
see fit to risk a life that was already drawn ng near its close, 
in a rash attempt to pry into the mysteries of the Atlantic, 
seemed neither so commendable, nor so daring, but many 
discovered high qualities in the character of one w T ho was 
just entering on his career, and that under auspices ap- 
parently so flattering, and who threw all his hopes on the 
uncertain chances of success in a scheme so unusual. Luis 
w r as human, and he was in the full enjoyment of the ad- 
miration his enterprise had evidently awakened among so 
many sensitive young creatures, U 7 hen Dona Inez most in- 
opportunely interposed to interrupt his happiness, and to 
wound his self-esteem. 

“ This is having more honorable views than my letters 
from Seville attribute to one youth, who belongeth to the 
proudest of our Castilian houses, and whose titles alone 
should invite him to add new lustre to a name that hath so 
long been the Spanish boast,” resumed the Sefiora Peraza. 
“ The reports speak of his desire to rove, but in a manner 
unworthy of his rank ; and that, too, in a way to serve 
neither the sovereigns, his country, nor himself.” 

“And w T ho may this misguided youth be, Senora?” 
eagerly inquired Luis, too much elated by the admiration 
he had just excited to anticipate the answ r er. “ A cavalier 
thus spoken of, needeth to be warned of his reputation, 
that he may be stimulated to attempt better things.” 

“ His name is no secret, since the court speaketh openly 
of his singular and ill-judged career ; and it is said that 
even his love hath been thwarted in consequence. I mean 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


209 


a cavalier of no less lineage and name than Don Luis de 
Bobadilla, the Count of Llera.” 

It is said that listeners seldom hear good of themselves, 
and Luis was now fated to verify the truth of the axiom. 
He felt the blood rushing to his face, and it required a 
strong effort at self-command to prevent him from break- 
ing out in exclamations, that would probably have con- 
tained invocations of half the patron saints he had ever 
heard of, had he not happily succeeded in controlling the 
sudden impulse. Gulping the words he had been on the 
point of uttering, he looked round, with an air of defiance, 
as if seeking the countenance of some man who might 
dare even to smile at what had been said. Luckily, at 
that moment, Columbus had drawn all of the males present 
around himself, in warm discussion of the probable exist- 
ence of the island of St. Brandan ; and Luis nowhere met 
a smile, with which he could conveniently quarrel, that 
had a setting of beard to render it hostile. Fortunately, 
the gentle impulses that are apt to influence a youthful 
female, induced one of Dona Inez’s fair companions to 
speak, and that in a wav greatly to relieve the feelings of 
our hero. 

“True, Senora,” rejoined the pretty young advocate, the 
first tones of whose voice had an effect to calm the tem- 
pest that was rising in the bosom of the young man ; 
“ true, Seno'ra, it is said that Don Luis is a wanderer, and 
one of unsettled tastes and habits, but it is also said he hath 
a most excellent heart, is generous as the dews of heaven 
themselves, and carrieth the very best lance of Castile, as 
he is also like to carry off the fairest maiden.’’ 

“ It is vain, Senor de Munos, for churchmen to preach, 
and parents to frown,” said Dona Inez, smiling, “while the 
beautiful and young will prize courage, and deeds in arms, 
afid an open hand, before the more homely virtues com- 
mended by our holy religion, and so zealously inculcated 
by its servants. The unhorsing of a knight or two in the 
tourneys, and the rallying a broken squadron under a 
charge of the Infidel, counteth far more than years of 
sobriety, and weeks of penance and prayer.” 

“How know we that the cavalier you mention, Senora, 
may not have his weeks of penance and his hours of 
prayer ? ” answered Luis, who had now found his voice. 
“ Should he be so fortunate as to enjoy a conscientious re- 
ligious adviser, he can scarce escape both, prayer being so 
often ordered in the way of penance. He seemeth, indeed, 

14 


210 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


to be a miserable dog, and I wonder not that his mistress 
holdeth him cheap. Is the name of the lady, also, given 
in your letter ? ” 

“ It is. She is the Dona Maria de las Mercedes de Val- 
verde, nearly allied to the Guzmans and the other great 
houses, and one of the fairest maidens of Spain.” 

“That is she ! ” exclaimed Luis ; “ and one of the most 
virtuous, as well as fair, and wise as virtuous ! ” 

“ How now, Senor, is it possible that you can have suffi- 
cient knowledge of one so situated, as to speak thus posi- 
tively of her qualities, as 'well as of her appearance ? ” 

“ Her beauty I have seen, and of her excellence one 
may speak by report. But doth your correspondent, 
Senora, say aught of what hath become of the graceless 
lover ? ” 

“ It is rumored that he hath again quitted Spain, and, as 
is supposed, under the grave displeasure of the sovereigns, 
since it hath been remarked that the queen now never 
nameth him. None know the road he hath taken, but 
there is little doubt that he is again roaming the seas, as 
usual, in quest of low adventures among the ports of the 
east.” 

The conversation now changed, and soon after the ad- 
miral and his attendants repaired to their different vessels. 

“ Of a verity, Senor Don Christoval,” said Luis, as he 
walked alone with the great navigator toward the shore, 
“one little knoweth when he is acquiring fame, and when 
not. Though but an indifferent mariner, and no pilot, I 
find my exploits on the ocean are well bruited abroad! If 
your Excellency but gain half the reputation I already 
enjoy, by this present expedition, you will have reason to 
believe that your name will not be forgotten by posterity.” 

“ It is a tribute the great pay for their elevation, Luis,” 
returned the admiral, “that all their acts are commented 
on, and that they can do little that may be concealed from 
observation, or escape remarks.” 

“It would be as well, Senor Almirante, to throw into the 
scales, at once, calumnies, and lies, and uncharitableness, 
for all these are to be added to the list. Is it not wonder- 
ful that a young man cannot visit a few foreign lands, in 
order to increase his knowledge and improve his parts, but 
all the gossips of Castile should fill their letters to the gos- 
sips of the Canaries, with passages touching his move- 
ments and demerits ? By the Martyrs of the East ! if I 
were Queen of Castile, there should be a law against writ- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


21 


ing of other’s movements, and I do not know, but a law 
| against women’s writing letters at all ! ” 

“ In which case, Sefior de Mufios, thou wouldst never 
possess the satisfaction of receiving a missive from the 
| fairest hand in Castile.” 

“ I mean a woman’s writing to a woman, Don Christo- 
pher. As to letters from noble maidens intended to cheer 
the hearts and animate the deeds of cavaliers who adore 
them, they are useful, out of doubt, and the saints be deal 
to the miscreant who would forbid or intercept them ! No, 
Sefior, I trust that travelling hath at least made me liberal, 
by raising me above the narrow prejudices of provinces 
and cities, and I am far from wishing to put an end to let- 
ters from mistresses to their knights, or from parents to 
their children, or even from wives to their husbands ; but, 
as for the letters of a gossip to a gossip, by your leave, 
Sefior Almirante, I detest them just as much as the 
Father of Sin detests this expedition of ours!” 

“ An expedition, certainly, that he hath no great reason 
to love,” answered Columbus, smiling ; “since it will be 
followed by the light of revelation and the triumph of the 
cross. But what is thy will, friend, that thou seemest 
in waiting for me, to disburden thyself of something? 
Thy name is Sancho Mundo, if I remember thy coun- 
tenance ? ” 

“Sefior Don Almirante, your memory hath not mistaken,” 
returned the person addressed ; “ I am Sancho Mundo, as 
your Excellency saith, sometimes called Sancho of the 
Ship-Yard Gate. I desire to say a few words concerning 
the fate of our voyage, whenever it shall suit you, noble 
Senor, to hear me where there are no ears present that you 
distrust.” 

“ Thou may’st speak freely now ; this cavalier being my 
confidant and secretary.” 

“ It is not necessary that I should tell a great pilot, like 
your Excellency, who is King of Portugal, or what the 
mariners of Lisbon have been about these many years, since 
you know all better than myself. Therefore I will just add, 
that they are discovering all the unknown lands they can, 
for themselves, and preventing others, as much as in them 
lies, from doing the same thing.” 

“ Don John of Portugal is an enlightened prince, fellow, 
and thou wouldst do well to respect his character and rank. 
His Highness is a liberal sovereign, and hath sent many 
noble expeditions forth from his harbor.” 


213 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ That he hath, Senor, and this last is not the least in its 
designs and intentions,” answered Sancho, turning a look 
of irony toward the admiral, that showed the fellow had 
more in reserve than he cared to divulge without some 
wheedling. “No one doubts Don John’s willingness to 
send forth expeditions.” 

“ Thou hast heard some intelligence, Sancho, that it is 
proper I should know ! Speak freely, and rely on my re- 
paying any service of this sort to the full extent of its de- 
servings.” 

“If your Excellency will have patience to hear me, I will 
give the whole story, with all minuteness and particular- 
ity, and that in a way to leave no part untold, and all parts 
to be as easily understood as heart can wish, or a priest in 
the confessional could desire.” 

“ Speak ; no one will interrupt thee. As thou art frank, 
so will be thy reward.” 

“ Well, then, Senor Don Almirante, you must know that 
about eleven years since, I made a voyage from Palos to 
Sicily, in a caravel belonging to the Pinzons, here ; not to 
Martin Alonzo, who commandeth the Pinta, under your 
Excellency’s order, but to a kinsman of his late father’s, 
who caused better craft to be constructed than we are apt 
to get in these days of hurry, and rotten cordage, and care- 
less calking, to say nothing of the manner in which the 
canvas is •” 

“Nay, good Sancho,” interrupted the impatient Luis, 
who was yet smarting under the remarks of Dona Inez’s 
correspondent — “thou forgettest night is near, and that 
the boat is waiting for the admiral.” 

“ How should I forget that, Senor, when I can see the 
sun just dipping into the water, and I belong to the boat 
myself, having left it in order to tell the noble admiral 
what I have to say ? ” 

“ Permit the man to relate his story in his own manner, 
Senor Pedro, I pray thee,” put in Columbus. “Naught is 
gained by putting a seaman out in his reckoning.” 

“ No, your Excellency, or in kicking with a mule. And 
so, as I was saying, I went that voyage to Sicily, and had 
for a messmate one Jose Gordo, a Portuguese by birth, but 
a man who liked the wines of Spain better than the puck- 
ering liquors of his own country, and so sailed much in 
Spanish craft. I never well knew, notwithstanding, whether 
Jose was, in heart, most of a Portuguese, or a Spaniard, 
though he was certainly but an indifferent Christian.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


2I 3 

“ It is to be hoped that his character hath improved,” 
said Columbus, calmly. “ As I foresee that something is 
to follow on the testimony of this Jose, you will let me say, 
that an indifferent Christian is but an indifferent witness. 
Tell me, at once, therefore, what he hath communicated, 
that I may judge for myself of the value of his words.” 

“ Now he that doubteth your Excellency will not dis- 
cover Cathay is a heretic, seeing that you have discovered 
my secret without having heard it ! Jose has just arrived, 
in the felucca that is riding near the Santa Maria, and 
hearing that we were an expedition that had one Sancho 
Mundo engaged in it, he came speedily on board of us to 
see his old shipmate.” 

“ All that is so plain, that I wonder thou thinkest it 
worthy of relating, Sancho ; but, now we have him safe 
on board the good ship, we can come at once to the sub- 
ject of his communication.” 

“ That may we, Senor ; and so, without any unnecessary 
delay, I will state, that the subject was touching Don Juan 
of Portugal, Don Ferdinand of Aragon, Dona Isabella of 
Castile, your Excellency, Senor Don Almirante, the Senor 
de Munos here, and myself.” 

u This is a strange company ! ” exclaimed Luis, laugh- 
ing, while he slipped a piece of eight into the hand of the 
sailor ; “ perhaps that may aid thee in shortening the story 
of the singular conjunction.” 

“ Another, Sefior, would bring the tale to an end at 
once. To own the truth, Jose is behind that wall, and as 
he told me he thought his news worth a dobla, he will be 
greatly displeased at finding I have received my half of it, 
while his half still remaineth unpaid.” 

“This, then, will set his mind at rest,” said Columbus, 
placing an entire dobla in the hand of the cunning fellow, 
for the admiral perceived by his manner that Sancho had 
really something of importance to communicate. “ Thou 
canst summon Jose to thy aid, and deliver thyself, at once, 
of thy burden.” 

Sancho did as directed, and in a minute Jose had ap- 
peared, had received the dobla, weighed it deliberately on 
his finger, pocketed it, and commenced his tale. Unlike 
the artful Sancho, he told his story at once, beginning at 
the right end, and ceasing to speak as soon as he had no 
more to communicate. The substance of the tale is soon 
related. Jose had come from Ferro, and had seen three 
armed caravels, wearing the flag of Portugal, cruising 


214 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


among the islands, under circumstances that left little 
doubt their object was to intercept the Castilian expe- 
dition. As the man referred to a passenger or two, who 
had landed within the hour, to corroborate his statement, 
Columbus and Luis immediately sought the lodgings of 
these persons, in order to hear their report of the matter. 
The result proved the sailor had stated nothing but what 
was true. 

“ Of all our difficulties and embarrassments, Luis,” re- 
sumed the admiral, a$ the two finally proceeded to the 
shore, “this is much the most serious! We may be de- 
tained altogether by these treacherous Portuguese, or we 
may be followed in our voyage, and have our fair laurels 
seized upon by others, and all the benefits so justly due 
for our toil and risk usurped, or at least disputed, by men 
who had not the enterprise and knowledge to accept the 
boon, when fairly offered fo them.” 

“Don John of Portugal must have sent far better 
knights than the Moors of Granada to do the feat,” an- 
swered Luis, who had a Spaniard’s distaste for his penin- 
sular neighbors; “he is a bold and learned prince, they 
say, but the commission and ensigns of the sovereign of 
Castile are not to be disregarded, and that, too, in the midst 
of her own islands, here.” 

“We have no force fit to contend with that which hath 
most probably been sent against us. The number and 
size of our vessels are known, and the Portuguese, ques- 
tionless, have resorted to the means necessary to effect 
their purposes, whatever those purposes may be. Alas ! 
Luis, my lot hath been hard, though I humbly trust that 
the end will repay me for all ! Years did I sue the Portu- 
guese to enter fairly into this voyage, and to endeavor to 
do that, in all honor, which our gracious mistress, Dona 
Isabella, hath now so creditably commenced ; he listened 
to my reasons and entreaties with cold ears — nay, repelled 
them, with ridicule and disdain ; and yet, here am I scarce 
fairly embarked in the execution of schemes that they have 
so often derided, than they endeavor to defeat me by vio- 
lence and treachery.” 

“Noble Don Christoval, we will die to a Castilian, ere 
this shall come to pass ! ” 

“ Our only hope is in speedy departure. Thanks to the 
industry and zeal of Martin Alonzo, the Pinta is ready, and 
we may quit Gomera with the morning’s sun. I doubt if 
they will have the hardihood to follow us into the trackless 


2I 5 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 

and unknown Atlantic, without any other guides than their 
own feeble knowledge ; and we will depart with the return 
of the sun. All now dependeth on quitting the Canaries 
unseen.” 

As this was said they reached the boat, and were quickly 
pulled on board the Santa Maria. By this time the peaks 
of the islands were towering like gloomy shadows in the 
atmosphere, and, soon after, the caravels resembled dark, 
shapeless specks, on the unquiet element that washed their 
hulls. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

“ They little thought how pure a light, 

With years, should gather round that day ; 

How love should keep their memories bright — 

How wide a realm their sons should sway.” — Bryant. 

The night that succeeded was one of very varied feelings 
among the adventurers. As soon as Sancho secured the 
reward, he had no further scruples about communicating 
all he knew, to any who were disposed to listen ; and long 
ere Columbus returned on board the vessel, the intelligence 
had spread from mouth to mouth, until all in the little 
squadron were apprised of the intentions of the Portu- 
guese. Many hoped that it was true, and that their pur- 
suers might be successful ; any fate being preferable, in 
their eyes, to that which the voyage promised ; but, such 
is the effect of strife, much the larger portion of the crew 
were impatient to lift the anchors, and to make sail, if it 
were only to get the mastery in the race. Columbus, him- 
self, experienced the deepest concern, for it really seemed 
as if a hard fortune was about to snatch the cup from his 
lips, just as it had been raised there, after all his cruel suf- 
ferings and delays. He consequently passed a night of 
deep anxiety, and was the first to rise in the morning. 

Every one was on the alert with the dawn ; and as the 
preparations had been completed the previous night, by 
the time the sun had risen, the three vessels were under 
way, the Pinta leading, as usual. The wind was light, and 
the squadron could barely gather steerage way ; but as 
every moment was deemed precious, the vessels’ heads 
were kept to the westward. When a short time out, a 
caravel came flapping past them, after having been several 


216 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


hours in sight, and the admiral spoke her. She proved to 
be from Ferro, the most southern and western island of 
the group, and had come nearly on the route the expedi- 
tion intended to steer, until they quitted the known seas. 

“Dost thou bring any tidings from Ferro ?” inquired 
Columbus, as the strange ship drifted slowly past the 
Santa Maria ; the progress of each vessel being little more 
than a mile in the hour. “ Is there aught of interest in 
that quarter ? ” 

“ Did I know whether, or not, I am speaking to Don 
Christopher Columbus, the Genoese that their Highnesses 
have honored with so important a commission, I should 
feel more warranty to answer what I have both heard and 
seen, Senor,” was the reply. 

“ I am Don Christopher himself, their Highnesses’ ad- 
miral and viceroy, for all seas and lands that we may dis- 
cover, and, as thou hast said, a Genoese in birth, though a 
Castilian by duty, and in love to the queen.” 

“ Then, noble admiral, I may tell you that the Portu- 
guese are active, three of their caravels being off Ferro, 
at this moment, with the hope intercepting your expedi- 
tion.” 

“ How is this known, friend, and what reason have I for 
supposing that the Portuguese will dare to send forth 
caravels, with orders to molest those who sail as the officers 
of Isabella the Catholic ? They must know that the Holy 
Father hath lately conferred this title on the two sover- 
eigns, in acknowledgment of their great services in ex- 
pelling the Moor from Christendom.” 

“ Senor, there hath been a rumor of that among the 
islands, but little will the Portuguese care for aught of that 
nature, when he deemeth his gold in danger. As I quitted 
Ferro, I spoke the caravels, and have good reason to think 
that rumor doth them no injustice.” 

“ Did they seem warlike, and made they any pretensions 
to a right to interrupt our voyage ?” 

“To us they said naught of this sort, except to inquire, 
tauntingly, if the illustrious Don Christoval Colon, the 
great viceroy of the east, sailed on board us. As for prep- 
aration, Senor, they had many lombardas, and a multitude 
of men in breastplates and casques. I doubt if soldiers 
are as numerous at the Azores, as when they sailed.” 

“ Keep they close in with the island, or stretch they off 
to seaward ? ” 

“ Mostly the latter, Senor, standing far toward the west 


MERCEDES OF CAS7VLE. 


21 ) 


in the morning, and beating up toward the land as the day 
closeth. Take the word of an old pilot, Don Christopher, 
the mongrels are there for no good.” 

This was barely audible, for by this time, the caravels 
had drifted past each other, and were soon altogether be- 
yond the reach of the voice. 

“ Do you believe that the Castilian name standeth so 
low, Don Christopher,” demanded Luis, “that these dogs 
of Portuguese dare do this wrong to the flag of the 
queen ? ” 

“ I dread naught from force, beyond detention and 
frauds, certainly ; but these, to me, at this moment, would 
be little less painful than death. Most do I apprehend 
that these caravels, under the pretence of protecting the 
rights of Don John, are directed to follow us to Cathay, 
in which case we should have a disputed discovery, and 
divided honors. We must avoid the Portuguese, if pos- 
sible ; to effect which purpose, I intend to pass to the 
westward, without nearing the island of Ferro, any closer 
than may be rendered absolutely indispensable,” 

Notwithstanding a burning impatience now beset the 
admiral, and most with him, the elements seemed opposed 
to his passage from among the Canaries, into the open 
ocean. The wind gradually failed, until it became so calm 
that the sails were hauled up, and the three vessels lay, 
now laying their sides with the brine, and now rising to 
the summit of the ground-swell, resembling huge anirhals 
that were lazily reposing, under the heats of summer, in 
drowsy indolence. 

Many was the secret pater , or ave, that was mumbled by 
the mariners, and not a few vows of future prayers were 
made, in the hope of obtaining a breeze. Occasionally it 
seemed as if Providence listened to these petitions, for the 
air would fan the cheek, and the sails would fall, in the 
vain expectation of getting ahead ; but disappointment 
as often followed, until all on board felt that they were 
fated to linger under the visitations of a calm. Just at 
nightfall, however, a light air arose, and, for a few hours, 
the wash of the parted waters was audible under the bows of 
the vessels, though their way was barely sufficient to keep 
them under the command of their helms. About midnight, 
however, even this scarcely perceptible motion was lost, 
and the craft were again lazily wallowing in the ground- 
swells that the gales had sent in from the vast expanse of 
the Western Ocean. 


2l8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


When the light reappeared the admiral found himself 
between Gomera and Teneriffe, the lofty peak of the lat- 
ter casting its pointed shadow, like that thrown by a planet, 
far upon the water, until its sharp apex was renewed in 
faint mimicry along the glassy surface of the ocean. Co- 
lumbus was now fearful that the Portuguese might em- 
ploy their boats, or impel some light felucca by her sweeps, 
in order to find out his position ; and he wisely directed 
the sails to be furled in order to conceal his vessels as far 
as possible from any prying eyes. The season had ad- 
vanced to the 7th of September, and such was the situa- 
tion of this renowned expedition, exactly five weeks after 
it had left Spain ; for this inauspicious calm occurred on 
a Friday, or on that day of the week on which it had 
originally sailed. 

All practice shows that there is no refuge from a calm 
at sea except in patience. Columbus was much too ex- 
perienced a navigator, not to feel this truth, and, after 
using the precaution mentioned, he, and the pilots under 
him, turned their attention to the arrangements required 
to render the future voyage safe and certain. The few 
mathematical instruments known to the age were got up, 
corrected, and exhibited, with the double intention of as- 
certaining their state, and of making a display before the 
common men that would heighten their respect for their 
leaders by adding to their confidence in their skill. The 
admiral himself had already obtained a high reputation as 
a navigator among his followers, in consequence of his 
reckonings having proved so much more accurate than 
those of the pilots in approaching the Canaries ; and as 
he now exhibited the instruments then used as a quadrant, 
and examined his compasses, every movement he made 
was watched by the seamen, with either secret admiration 
or jealous vigilance ; some openly expressing their confi- 
dence in his ability to proceed wherever he wished to go, 
and others covertly betraying just that degree of critical 
knowledge which ordinarily accompanies prejudice, igno- 
rance, and malice. 

Luis had never been able to comprehend the mysteries 
of navigation, his noble head appearing to repudiate 
learning as a species of accomplishment but little in ac- 
cordance with its wants or its tastes. Still he was intelli- 
gent ; and within the range of knowledge that it was usual 
for laymen of his rank to attain, few of his age did them- 
selves more credit in the circles of the court. Fortunately 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE , 


219 


he had the most perfect reliance on the means of the ad- 
miral ; and being almost totally without personal appre- 
hensions, Columbus had not a more submissive or blind 
follower than the young grandee under his command. 

Man, with all his boasted philosophy, intelligence, and 
reason, exists the dupe of his own imagination and blind- 
ness, as much as of the artifices and designs of others. 
Even while he fancies himself the most vigilant and cau- 
tious, he is as often misled by appearances as governed by 
facts and judgment; and perhaps half of those who were 
spectators of this calculated care in Columbus believed 
that they felt, in their renewed confidence, the assurances 
of science and logical deductions, when, in truth, their 
senses were impressed, without, in the slightest degree, en- 
lightening their understandings. 

Thus passed the day of the 7 th September, the night ar- 
riving and still finding the little squadron or fleet, as it 
was termed in the lofty language of the day, floating help- 
lessly between Teneriffe and Gomera. Nor did the ensu- 
ing morning bring a change, for a burning sun beat, un- 
relieved by a breath of air, on the surface of a sea that was 
glittering like molten silver. When the admiral was cer- 
tain, however, by having sent men aloft to examine the 
horizon, that the Portuguese were not in sight, he felt in- 
finitely relieved, little doubting that his pursuers still 4ay 
as inactive as himself to the westward of Ferro. 

“ By the seamen’s hopes ! Senor Don Christopher,” said 
Luis, as he reached the poop, where Columbus had kept 
an untiring watch for hours, he himself having just risen 
from a siesta, “ the fiends seem to be leagued againt us ! 
Here are we in the third day of our calm, with the Peak of 
Teneriffe as stationary as if it were a mile-stone, set to tell 
the porpoises and dolphins the rate at which they swim. 
If one believed in omens, he might fancy that the saints 
were unwilling to see us depart, even though it be on their 
own errand.” 

“We may not believe in omens, when they are no more 
than the fruits of natural laws,” gravely returned the ad- 
miral. “ There will shortly be an end of this calm, for a 
haze is gathering in the atmosphere that promises air 
from the east, and the motion of the ship will tell thee 
that the winds have been busy far to the westward. 
Master Pilot,” addressing the officer of that title, who 
had charge of the deck at the moment, “ thou wilt do 
well to unfurl thy canvas and prepare for a favoring 


220 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


breeze, as we shall soon be overtaken by wind from the 
northeast.” 

This prediction was verified about an hour later, when 
all three of the vessels began, again, to part the waters with 
their stems. But the breeze, if anything, proved more 
tantalizing to the impatient mariners than the calm itself 
had been ; for a strong head sea had got up, and the air 
proving light, the different craft struggled with difficulty 
toward the west. 

All this time, a most anxious look-out was kept for the 
Portuguese caravels, the appearance of which, however, was 
less dreaded than it had been, as they were now supposed 
to be a considerable distance to leeward. Columbus, and 
his skilful assistants, Martin Alonzo and Vicente Yanez, or 
the brothers Pinzon, who commanded the Pinta and the 
Nina, practised all the means that their experience could 
suggest to get ahead. Their progress, however, was not 
only slow but painful, as every fresh impulse given by the 
breeze served to plunge the bows of the vessels into the 
sea with a violence that threatened injuries to the spars 
and rigging. So trifling, indeed, was their rate of sailing, 
that it required all the judgment of Columbus to note the 
nearly imperceptible manner in which the tall, cone-like 
summit of the Peak of Teneriffe lowered, as it might be, 
inch by inch. The superstitious feelings of the common 
men being more active than usual, even, some among them 
began to whisper that the elements were admonishing 
them against proceeding, and that tardy as it might seem, 
the admiral would do well to attend to omens and signs 
that nature seldom gave without sufficient reason. These 
opinions, however, were cautiously uttered — the grave, 
earnest manner of Columbus having created so much re- 
spect, as to suppress them in his presence ; and the mari- 
ners of the other vessels still followed the movements of 
their admiral with that species of blind dependence which 
marks the submission of the inferior to the superior under 
such circumstances. 

When Columbus retired to his cabin for the night Luis 
observed that his countenance was unusually grave, as he 
ended his calculations of the days’ work. 

“ I trust all goes to your washes, Don Christopher,” the 
young man gaily observed. “We are now 7 fairly on our 
journey, and to my eyes Cathay is already in sight.” 

“ Thou hast that within thee, Don Luis,” returned the 
admiral, “which rendereth what thou wishest to see dis- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


221 


tinct, and maketh all colors gay. With me it is a duty to 
see things as they are , and, although Cathay lieth plainly 
before the vision of my mind — thou, Lord, who hast im- 
planted, for thine own great ends, the desire to reach 
that distant land, only know’st how plainly ! — although 
Cathay is thus plain to my moral view, I am bound 
to heed the physical obstacles that may exist to our reach- 
ing it.” 

“ And are these obstacles getting to be more serious than 
we could hope, Senor?” 

*' My trust is still in God — look here, young lord,” laying 
his finger on the chart; “at this point were we in the 
morning, and to this point have we advanced by means of 
all the toil of the day, down to this portion of the night. 
Thou seest that a line of paper marketh the whole of our 
progress ; and, here again, thou seest that we have to 
cross this vast desert of ocean ere we may even hope to 
draw near the end of our journey. By my calculation, 
with all our exertions, and at this critical moment — critical 
not only as regardeth the Portuguese, but critical as re- 
gardeth our own people — we have made but nine leagues, 
which are a small portion of the thousand that lie before 
us. At this rate we may dread a failure of our provisions 
and water.” 

“ I have all confidence in your resources, Don Christo- 
pher, and in your knowledge and experience.” 

“ And 1 have all confidence in the. protection of God ; 
trusting that he will not desert his servant in the moment 
that he most needeth his support.” 

Here Columbus prepared himself to catch a few hours’ 
sleep, though it was in his clothes, the interest he felt in 
the position of his vessels forbidding him to undress. This 
celebrated man lived in an age when a spurious philosophy, 
and a pretending but insufficient exercise of reason, placed 
few, even in appearance, above the frank admission of 
their constant reliance on a divine power. We say in ap- 
pearance, as no man, whatever may be the extent of his 
delusions on this subject, really believes that he is alto- 
gether sufficient for his own protection. This absolute 
self-reliance is forbidden by a law of nature, each carrying 
in his own breast a monitor to teach him his real insignifi- 
cance, demonstrating daily, hourly, at each minute even, 
that he is but a diminutive agent used by a superior power 
in carrying out its own great and mysterious ends, for the 
sublime and beneficent purposes for which the world and 


222 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


all it contains has been created. In compliance with the 
usage of the times, Columbus knelt, and prayed fervently, 
ere he slept ; nor did Luis de Bobadilla hesitate about imi- 
tating an example that few in that day thought beneath 
their intelligence or their manhood. If religion had the 
taint of superstition in the fifteenth century, and men con- 
fided too much in the efficacy of momentary and transient 
impulses, it is certain that it also possessed an exterior of 
graceful meekness and submission to God, in losing which, 
it may be well questioned if the world has been the gainer. 

The first appearance of light brought the admiral and 
Luis to the deck. They both knelt again on the poop, and 
repeated their paters ; and then, yielding to the feelings 
natural to their situation, they arose, eager to watch for 
what might be revealed by the lifting of the curtain of day. 
The approach of dawn, and the rising of the sun at sea, 
have been so often described that the repetition here might 
be surperfluous ; but we shall state that Luis watched the 
play of colors that adorned the eastern sky, with a lover’s 
refinement of feeling, fancying that he traced a resem- 
blance to the passage of emotions across the tell-tale coun- 
tenance of Mercedes, in the soft and transient hues that 
are known to precede a fine morning in September, more 
especially in a low latitude. As for the admiral, his more 
practical gaze was turned in the direction in which the 
island of Ferro lay, awaiting the increase of the light in 
order to ascertain what changes had been wrought during 
the hours he had slept. Several minutes passed in profound 
attention, when the navigator beckoned Luis to his side. 

“ Seest thou that dark, gloomy pile which is heaving up 
out of the darkness, here at the south and west of us ? ” he 
said ; “ it gaineth form and distinctness at each instant, 
though distant some eight or ten leagues ; that is Ferro, 
and the Portuguese are there, without question, anxiously 
expecting our appearance. In this calm neither can ap- 
proach the other, and thus far we are safe. It is now ne- 
cessary to ascertain if the pursuing caravels are between us 
and the land, or not ; after which, should it prove other- 
wise, we shall be reasonably safe, if we approach no nearer 
to the island, and we can maintain, as yesterday, the advan- 
tage of the wind. Seest thou any sail, Luis, in that quarter 
of the ocean ? ” 

“None, Senor ; and the light is already of sufficient 
strength to expose the white canvas of a vessel, were any 
there.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


223 


Columbus made an ejaculation of thankfulness, and im- 
mediately ordered the look-out aloft to examine the entire 
horizon. The report was favorable ; the dreaded Portu- 
guese caravels being nowhere visible. As the sun arose, 
however, a breeze sprung up at the southward and west- 
ward, bringing Ferro, and consequently any vessels that 
might be cruising in that quarter, directly to windward of 
the fleet. Sail was made without the loss of a moment ; 
and the admiral stood to the northward and westward, 
trusting that his pursuers were looking out for him on the 
south side of the island, which was the ground where those 
who did not thoroughly understand his aim would be most 
likely to expect him. By this time the westerly swell had, 
in a great measure, gone down ; and though the progress 
of the vessels was far from rapid, it was steady, and 
seemed likely to last. The hours went slowly by, and as 
the day advanced objects became less and less distinct on 
the sides of Ferro. Its entire surface next took the hazy 
appearance of a dim and ill-defined cloud ; and then it 
began slowly to sink into the water. Its summit was still 
visible, as the admiral, with the more privileged of his 
companions, assembled on the poop to take a survey of 
the weather. The most indifferent observer might now 
have noted the marked difference in the state of feeling 
which existed among the adventurers on board the Santa 
Maria. On the poop all was cheerfulness and hope, the 
present escape having induced even the distrustful, mo- 
mentarily, to forget the uncertain future ; the pilots, as 
usual, were occupied and sustained by a species of marine 
stoicism ; while a melancholy had settled on the crew that 
was as apparent as if they were crowding around the 
dead. Nearly every man in the ship was in some one of 
the groups that had assembled on deck; and every eye 
seemed riveted, as it might be by enchantment, on the 
fading and falling heights of Ferro. While things were in 
this state Columbus approached Luis, and aroused him 
from a sort of trance by laying a finger lightly on his 
shoulder. 

“ It cannot be that the Senor de Munos is affected by 
the feelings of the common men,” observed the admiral, 
with a slight mixture of surprise and reproach ; “this, too, 
at a moment that all of an intelligence sufficient to fore- 
see the glorious consequences are rejoicing that a heaven- 
sent breeze is carrying us to a safe distance from the 
pursuing and envious caravels! Why dost thou thus 


224 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


regard the people beneath with a steady eye and unwav- 
ering look ? Is it that thou repentest embarking, or dost 
thou merely muse*on the charms of thy mistress?” 

“ By San Iago ! Don Christopher, this time your sagaci- 
ty is at fault. I neither repent, nor muse as you would 
imply ; but I gaze at yonder poor fellows with pity for 
their apprehensions.” 

“ Ignorance is a hard master, Senor Pedro, and one that 
is now exercising his power over the imaginations of the 
seamen with the ruthlessness of a tyrant. They dread the 
worst merely because they have not the knowledge to 
foresee the best. Fear is a stronger passion than hope, 
and is ever the near ally of ignorance. In vulgar eyes 
that which hath not yet been — nay, which hath not, in some 
measure, become familiar by use— is deemed impossible ; 
men reasoning in a circle that is abridged by their in- 
formation. Those fellows are gazing at the island, as it 
disappears, like men taking a last look at the things of 
life. Indeed, this concern exceedeth even what I could 
have anticipated.” 

“It lieth deep, Senor, and yet it,riseth to the eyes ; for 
I have seen tears on cheeks that I could never have sup- 
posed wetted in any manner but by the spray of the ocean ! ” 

“There are two acquaintances, Sanchoand Pepe, neither 
of whom seemeth particularly distressed, though the last 
hath a cast of melancholy in his face. As for the first, the 
knave showeth the difference of a true mariner — one who 
is never so happy as when furthest from the dangers of 
rocks and shoals ; to such a man, the disappearance of one 
island, and the appearance of another, are alike matters of 
indifference. He seeth but the visible horizon around him, 
and considereth the rest of the world, temporarily, as a 
blank. I look for loyal service in that Sancho, in despite 
of his knavery, and count upon him as one of the truest 
of my followers.” 

Here the admiral was interrupted by a cry from the deck 
beneath him, and looking around his practised and quick 
eye was not slow in discovering that the horizon to the 
southward presented the usual watery blank of the open 
ocean. Ferro had, in fact, altogether disappeared, some 
of the most sanguine of the seamen having fancied that 
they beheld it, even after it had finally sunk behind the 
barrier of waves. As the circumstance became more and 
more certain, the lamentations among the people grew less 
and less equivocal and louder, tears flowed without shame 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


225 


or concealment, hands were wrung in a sort of a senseless 
despair, and a scene of such clamor ensued, as threatened 
some serious danger to the expedition from this new quar- 
ter. Under such circumstances, Columbus had all the 
people collected beneath the break of the poop, and stand- 
ing on the latter, where he could examine every counte- 
nance for himself, he addressed them on the subject of their 
grief. On this occasion the manner of the great naviga- 
tor was earnest and sincere, leaving no doubt that he fully 
believed in the truth of his own arguments, and that he ut- 
tered nothing with the hope to delude or to misled. 

“When Don Ferdinand and Dona Isabella, our respect- 
ed and beloved sovereigns, honored me with the commis- 
sion of admiral and viceroy, in those secret seas toward 
which we are now steering,” he said, “I considered it as 
the most glorious and joyful event of my life, as I now 
consider this moment, that seemeth to some among you so 
painful, as second to it in hopes and cause for felicitation. 
In the disappearance of Ferro, I see also the disappear- 
ance of the Portuguese ; for, now that we are in the open 
ocean, without the limits of any known land, I trust that 
Providence hath placed us beyond the reach and machina- 
tions of all our enemies. While we prove true to ourselves, 
and to the great objects that are before us, there is no 
longer cause for fear. If any person among you hath a 
mind to disburden himself, in this matter, let him speak 
freely ; we being much too strong in argument to wish to 
silence doubts by authority.” 

“Then Senor Don Almirante,” put in Sancho, whose 
tongue was ever ready to wag, as occasion offered, “ it is just 
that which maketh your Excellency so joyful that maketh 
these honest people so sad. Could they always keep the 
island of Ferro in sight, or any other known land, they 
would follow you to Cathay with as gentle a pull as the 
launch followeth the caravel in a light breeze and smooth 
water; but it is . this leaving all behind, as it might be, 
eaith as well as wives and children, that saddens their 
hearts, and uncorks their tears.” 

“And thou, Sancho, an old mariner that wast born at sea — ” 

“ Nay, your Excellency, illustrious Senor Don Almir- 
ante,” interrupted Sancho, looking up with pretended sim- 
plicity, “not exactly at sea, though within the scent of 
its odor ; since, having been found at the shipwright’s 
gate, it is not probable they would have made a haven 
just to land so small a part of the freight ’ 

15 


226 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“Well, born near the sea, if thou wilt — but from thee I 
expect better things than unmanly lamentations because an 
island had sunk below the horizon.” 

“ Excellency, you may ; it mattereth little to Sancho, if 
half the islands in the sea were sunk a good deal lower. 
There are the Cape de Verdes, now, which I never wish to 
look upon again, and Lampidosa, besides Stromboli and 
others in that quarter, would be better out of the way, 
than where they are, as for any good they do us seamen. 
But, if your Excellency will condescend to tell these hon- 
est people whither it is that we are bound, and what you 
expect to find in port, and more especially, when we are 
to come back, it would comfort them in an unspeakable 
degree.” 

“As I hold it to be the proper office of men in author- 
ity to let their motives be known, when no evil followeth 
the disclosure, this will I most cheerfully do, requiring the 
attention of all near me, and chiefly of those who are most 
uneasy concerning our present position and future move- 
ments. The end of our voyage is Cathay, a country that is 
known to lie in the uttermost eastern extremity of Asia, 
whither it hath been more than once reached by Christian 
travellers ; and its difference from all other voyages, or 
other journeys, that may have been attempted in order to 
reach the same country, is in the circumstance that we go 
west, while former travellers have proceeded east. But 
this is effecting our purposes by means that belong only 
to stout-hearted mariners, since none but those who are 
familiar with the ocean, skilful pilots, and obedient and 
ready seamen can traverse the waters, without better 
guides than the knowledge of the stars, currents, winds, 
and other phenomena of the Atlantic, and such aids as 
may be gleaned from science. The reason on which I 
act is, a conviction that the earth is round, whence it fol- 
loweth that the Atlantic, which we know to possess an 
eastern boundary of land, must also have a western ; and 
from certain calculations that leave it almost certain, that 
this continent, which I hold will prove to be India, cannot 
lie more than some twenty-five or thirty day’s sailing, if as 
many, from our own Europe. Having thus told when and 
where I expect to find the country we seek, I will now 
touch a little on the advantages that we may all expect to 
derive from the discovery. According to the accounts of 
a certain Marco Polo, and his relatives, gentlemen of 
Venice, and men of fair credit and good reputations, the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


227 


kingdom of Cathay is not only one of the most extensive 
known, but one that most aboundeth in gold and silver, to- 
gether with the other metals of value and precious stones. 
Of the advantages of the discovery of such a land to your- 
selves, ye may judge by its advantages to me. Their 
Highnesses have dignified me with the rank of admiral and 
viceroy, in anticipation of our success, and, persevering to 
a successful termination of your efforts, the humblest man 
among ye may look with confidence to some signal mark 
of their favor. Rewards will doubtless be rendered in 
proportion to your merits ; he that deserveth much, re- 
ceiving more than he who hath deserved less. Still will 
there be sufficient for all. Marco Polo and his relatives 
dwelt seventeen years in the court of the Great Khan, and 
were every way qualified to give a true account of the 
riches and resources of those regions ; and well were they 
— simple Venetian gentlemen, without any other means 
than could be transporated on the backs of beasts of bur- 
den — rewarded for their toils and courage. The jewels 
alone with which they returned served long to enrich 
their races, renovating a decayed but honorable family, 
while they did their enterprise and veracity credit in the 
eyes of men. 

“ As the ocean, for a long distance this side of the con- 
tinent of Asia and the kingdom of Cathay, is known to 
abound with islands, we may expect first to meet with them, 
where, it would be doing nature herself injustice, did we 
not anticipate fragrant freights of balmy spices, and other 
valuable commodities with which that favored quarter of 
the earth, it is certain, is enriched. Indeed, it is scarce 
possible for the imagination to conceive of the magnitude 
of the results that await our success, while naught but 
ridicule and contempt could attend a hasty and inconsid- 
erate return. Going not as invaders, but as Christians 
and friends, we have no reason to expect other than the 
most friendly reception ; and, no doubt, the presents and 
gifts alone, that will naturally be offered to strangers who 
have come so far, and by a road that hath hitherto been 
untravelled, will forty-fold repay you for all your toils and 
troubles. 

“ I say nothing of the honor of being among those who 
have first carried the cross to the heathen world,” continued 
the admiral, uncovering himself, and looking around him 
with solemn gravity ; “ though our fathers believed it to be 
no little distinction to have been one in the armies that 


228 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


contended for the possession of the sepulchre. But neither 
the Church, nor its great master, forgetteth the servitor 
that advanceth its interests, and we may all look for bless- 
ings, both here and hereafter.” 

As he concluded, Columbus devoutly crossed himself, 
and withdrew from the sight of his people among those 
who were on the poop. The effect of this address was, for 
the moment, very salutary, and the men saw the clouds 
that hung over the land disappear, like the land itself, with k 
less feeling than they had previously manifested. Never- 
theless they remained distrustful and sad, some dreaming 
that night of the pictures that Columbus had drawn of the 
glories of the East, and others fancying, in their sleep, that 
demons were luring them into unknown scenes, where they 
were doomed to wander forever, as a punishment for their 
sins ; conscience asserting its power in all situations, and 
most vividly in those of distrust and uncertainty. 

Shortly before sunset, the admiral caused the three ves- 
sels to heave-to, and the two Pinzons to repair on board 
his own ship. Here he laid before these persons his orders 
and plans for their government, in the event of a separa- 
tion. 

“ Thus you will understand me, Sen ores,” he concluded, 
after having explained at length his views. “ Your first and 
gravest duty will be to keep near the admiral, in all weather, 
and under every circumstance, so long as it may be pos- 
sible ; but, failing of the possibility, you will make your 
way due westward, on this parallel of latitude, until you 
have gone seven hundred leagues from the Canaries ; after 
which you are to lie-to at night, as by that time it is prob- 
able you will be among the islands of Asia ; and it will be 
both prudent and necessary to our objects, to be more on 
the alert for discoveries, from that moment. Still, you will 
proceed westward, relying on seeing me at the court of the 
Great Khan, should Providence deny us an earlier meet- 
ing.” 

“ This is well, Senor Almirante,” returned Martin 
Alonzo, raising his eyes, which had long been riveted on 
the chart, “ but it will be far better for all to keep together, 
and chiefly so to us, who are little used to the habits of 
princes, if we wait for your Excellency’s protection before 
we rush unheedingly into the presence of a sovereign as 
potent as the Grand Khan.” 

“ Thou showest thy usual prudence, good Martin Alonzo, 
and I much commend thee for it. It were, indeed, better 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


229 


that thou shouldst wait my arrival, since that Eastern po- 
tentate may conceive himself better treated by receiving 
the first visit from the viceroy of the sovereigns, "who is the 
bearer of letters directly from his own royal master and 
mistress, than by receiving it from one of inferior rank. 
Look thou well to the islands and their products, Sefior 
Pinzon, shouldst thou first gain those seas, and await my 
appearance, before thou proceedest to aught else. How 
stand thy people affected on taking leave of the land ?” 

“ 111 enough, Sefior ; so much so, indeed, as to put me in 
fear of a mutiny. There are those in the Pintawho need to 
stand in wholesome dread of the anger of their Highnesses, 
to prevent their making a sudden and violent return to 
Palos.” 

“Thou wouldst do well to look sharply to this spirit, that 
it may be kept under. Deal kindly and gently with these 
disaffected spirits as long as may be, encouraging them by 
all fair and reasonable promises ; but beware that the dis- 
temper get not the mastery of thy authority. And now, 
Sefiores, as the night approacheth, take boat and return to 
your vessels, that we may profit by the breeze.” 

When Columbus was again alone with Luis, he sat in his 
little cabin, with a hand supporting his head, musing like 
one lost in reflection. 

“Thou hast long known this Martin Alonzo, Don Luis 
de Bobadilla ? ” he at length asked, betraying the current 
of his thoughts, by the nature of the question. 

“ Long, Sefior, as youths count time ; though it would 
seem but a day in the calculations of aged men.” 

“ Much dependeth on him ; I hope he may prove hon- 
est ; as yet he hath shown himself liberal, enterprising, and 
manly.” 

“ He is human, Don Christopher, and therefore liable to 
err. Yet as men go, I esteem Martin Alonzo far from being 
among the worst of his race. He hath not embarked in 
this enterprise under knightly vows, nor with any church- 
man’s zeal ; but give him the chance of a fair return for 
his risks, and you will find him as true as interest ever 
leaveth a man, when there is any occasion to try his self- 
ishness.” 

“ Then thou only will I trust with my secret. Look at 
this paper, Luis. Here thou seest that I have been calcu- 
lating our progress since morning, and I find that we have 
come full nineteen leagues, though it be not in a direct 
westerly line. Should I let the people know how far we 


230 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


may have truly come, at the end of some great distance, 
there being no land visible, fear will get the mastery over 
them, and no man can foresee the consequences. I shall 
write down publicly, therefore, but fifteen leagues, keep- 
ing the true reckoning sacred for thine eye and mine. God 
will forgive me this deception, in consideration that it is 
practised in the interest of his own church. By making 
these small deductions daily, it will enable us to advance 
a thousand leagues without awakening alarm sufficient for 
more than seven or eight hundred.” 

“This is reducing courage to a scale I little dreamt of, 
Senor,” returned Luis, laughing. “ By San Luis, my true 
patron ! we should think ill of the knight who found 
it necessary to uphold his heart by a measurement of 
leagues.” 

“ All unknown evils are dreaded evils. Distance hath 
its terrors for the ignorant, and it may justly have its ter- 
rors for the wise, young noble, when it is measured on a 
trackless ocean ; and there ariseth another question touch- 
ing those great staples of life, food and water.” 

With this slight reproof of the levity of his young friend, 
the admiral prepared himself for his hammock by kneel- 
ing and repeating the prayers of the hour. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

“Whither, midst falling dew, 

While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, 

Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue 
Thy solitary way ? ” — Bryant. 

The slumbers of Columbus were of short duration. 
While his sleep lasted it was profound, like that of a man 
who has so much control over his will as to have reduced 
the animal functions to its domination, for he awoke regu- 
larly at short intervals, in order that his watchful eye might 
take a survey of the state of the weather, and of the condition 
of his vessels. On this occasion the admiral was on deck 
again, a little after one, where he found all things seemingly 
in that quiet and inspiring calm that ordinarily marks, in fine 
weather, a middle watch at sea. The men on deck mostly 
slumbered ; the drowsy pilot and the steersman, with a 
look-out or two, alone remaining erect and awake. The 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


231 


wind had freshened, and the caravel was ploughing her 
way ahead, with an untiring industry, leaving Ferro and 
its dangers, at each instant, more and more remote. The 
only noises that were audible were the gentle sighing of 
the wind among the cordage, the wash of the water, and 
the occasional creaking of a yard, as the breeze forced it, 
with a firmer pressure, to distend its tackle and to strain 
its fittings. 

The night was dark, and it required a moment to accus- 
tom the eye to objects by a light so feeble ; when this was 
done, hbwever, the admiral discovered that the ship was 
not close by the wind, as he had ordered that she should 
be kept. Walking to the helm, lie perceived that it was 
so far borne up as to cause her head to fall off toward the 
northeast, which was, in fact, in the direction to Spain. 

“Art thou a seaman, and disregardest thy course, in this 
heedless manner?” sternly demanded the admiral; “or 
art thou only a muleteer, who fancieth he is merely wind- 
ing his way along a path of the mountains. Thv heart is 
in Spain, and thou thinkest that a vain wish to return may 
meet with some relief in this idle artifice ! ” 

“Alas, Senor Almirante ! your Excellency hath judged 
rightly in believing that my heart is in Spain, where it 
ought to be, moreover, as I have left behind me at Mo- 
guer seven motherless children.” 

“ Dost thou not know, fellow, that I, too, am a father, 
and that the dearest objects of a father’s hopes are left be- 
hind me, also? In what, then, dost thou, differ from me, 
my son being also without a mother’s care ? ” 

“ Excellency, he hath an admiral for a father, while my 
boys have only a helmsman ! ” 

“And what will it matter to Don Diego” — Columbus 
was fond of dwelling on the honors he had received from 
the sovereigns, even though it were a little irregularly — 
“what will it matter to Don Diego, my son, that his parent 
perished an admiral, if he perish at all ; and in what will 
he profit more than your children, when he findeth him- 
self altogether without a parent ?” 

“Senor, it will profit him to be cherished by the king 
and queen, to be honored as your child, and to be fostered 
and fed as the offspring of a viceroy, instead of being cast 
aside as the issue of a nameless mariner.” 

“ Friend, thou hast some reason in this, and insomuch I 
respect thy feelings,” answered Columbus, who, like our 
own Washington, appears to have always submitted to a 


2 3 2 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


lofty and pure sense of justice ; “but thou wouldst do well 
to remember the influence that thy manly and successful 
perseverance in this voyage may produce on the welfare 
of thy children, instead of thus dwelling on weak forebod- 
ings of ills that are little likely to come to pass. Neither 
of us hath much to expect, should we fail of our discov- 
eries, while both may hope everything should we succeed. 
Can I trust thee now, to keep the ship on her course, or 
must I send for another mariner to relieve the helm ? ” 

“It may be better, noble admiral, to do the last. I will 
bethink me of thy counsel, and strive with my longings 
for home ; but it would be safer to seek another for this 
day, while we are so near to Spain.” 

“ Dost thou know one Sancho Mundo, a common seaman 
of this crew ? ” 

“ Senor, we all know him ; he hath the name of the most 
skilful of our craft, of all in Moguer.” 

“ Is he of thy watch, or sleepeth he with his fellows of 
the relief below ? ” 

“ Senor, he is of our watch ; and sleepeth not with his 
fellows below, for the reason that he sleepeth on deck. 
No care or danger can unsettle the confidence of San- 
cho ! To him the sight of land is so far an evil, that I doubt 
if he rejoice should we ever reach those distant countries 
that your Excellency seemeth to expect we may.” 

“ Go find this Sancho, and bid him come hither ; I will 
discharge thy office the while.” 

Columbus now took the helm with his own hands, and 
with a light play of the tiller brought the ship immediately 
up as near the wind as she would lie. The effect was felt 
in more quick and sudden plunges into the sea, a deeper 
heel to leeward, and a fresh creaking aloft, that denoted a 
renewed and increased strain on all the spars and their 
tackle. In the course of a few minutes, however, Sancho 
appeared, rubbing his eyes and yawning. 

“ Take thou this duty,” said the admiral, as soon as 
the man was near him, “and discharge it faithfully. Those 
who have been here already have proved unfaithful, suf- 
fering the vessel to fall off in the direction of Spain ; I 
expect better things of thee. I think, friend Sancho, I 
may count on thee as a true and faithful follower, even in 
extremity ? ” 

“ Senor Don Almirante,” said Sancho, who took the 
helm, giving it a little play to feel his command of it, as a 
skilful coachman brings his team in subjection on first as' 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


233 


suming the reins, “I am a servant of the crown’s, and 
your inferior and subordinate ; such a duty as becometh 
me I am ready to discharge.” 

“Thou hast no fear of this voyage — no childish fore- 
bodings of becoming an endless wanderer in an unknown 
sea, without hope of ever seeing wife or child again?” 

“ Senor, you seem to know our hearts as well as if your 
Excellency had made them with your own hands, and then 
put them into our miserable bodies ! ” 

“ Thou hast, then, none of these unsuitable and unsea* 
manlike apprehensions ? ” 

“ Not as much, Excellency, as would raise an ave in a 
parish priest, or a sigh in an old woman. I may have my 
misgivings, for we all have weaknesses, but none of them 
incline to any dread of sailing about the ocean, since that 
is my happiness ; nor to any concern about wife and chil- 
dren, not having the first, and wishing not to think I have 
the last.” 

“ If thou hast misgivings, name them. I could wish to 
make one firm as thou wholly my friend.” 

“ I doubt not, Senor, that we shall reach Cathay, or what- 
ever country your Excellency may choose to seek ; I make 
no question of your ability to beard the Great Khan, and, 
at need, to strip the very jewels from his turban — as turban 
he must have, being an Infidel ; nor do I feel any misgiv- 
ings about the magnitude and richness of our discoveries 
and freights, since I believe, Senor Don Almirante, you 
are skilful enough to take the caravels in at one end of the 
earth and out at the other ; or even to load them with 
carbuncles, should diamonds be wanting.” 

“If thou hast this faith in thy leader, what other dis- 
trust can give the concern ? ” 

“ I distrust the value of the share, whether of honor or 
of jewels, that will fall to the lot of one Sancho Mundo, a 
poor, unknown, almost shirtless mariner, that hath more 
need of both than hath ever crossed the mind of our gra- 
cious lady, Dona Isabella, or of her royal consort.” 

“ Sancho, thou art a proof that no man is without his 
failings, and I feel thou art mercenary. They say all men 
have their prices ; thou seemest clearly to have thine.” 

“ Your Excellency hath not been sailing about the world 
for nothing, or you could not tell every man his inclina- 
tions so easily. I have ever suspected I was mercenary, 
and so have accepted all sorts of presents to keep the 
feeling down. Nothing appeases a mercenary longing 


234 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


like gifts and rewards ; and as for price, I strive hard to 
keep mine as high as possible, lest it should bring me into 
discredit for a mean and grovelling spirit Give me a 
high price, and plenty of gifts, and I can be as disinter- 
ested as a mendicant friar.” 

“ I understand thee, Sancho ; thou art to be bought, but 
not to be frightened. In thy opinion a single dobla is too 
little to be divided between thee and thy friend, the Port- 
uguese. I will make a league with thee on thine own terms ; 
here is another piece of gold ; see that thou remainest true 
to me throughout the voyage.” 

“ Count on me, without scruple, Senor Don Almirante, 
and with scruples, too, should they interfere. Your Ex- 
cellency hath not a more disinterested friend in the fleet. 
I only hope that when the share-list shall be written out, 
the name of Saneho Mundo may have an honorable place, 
as will become his fidelity. And now, your Excellency, 
go sleep in peace ; the Santa Maria shall lie as near to the 
route to Cathay, as this south-westerly breeze will suffer.” 

Columbus complied, though he rose once or twice more 
during the night to ascertain the state of the weather, 
and that the men did their duties. So long as Sancho re- 
mained at the helm he continued faithful to his compact ; 
but as he went below with his watch, at the usual hour, 
successors were put in his place, who betrayed the original 
treachery of the other helmsman. When Luis left his 
hammock Columbus was already at work, ascertaining the 
distance that had been run in the course of the night. 
Catching the inspiring glance of the young man, the ad- 
miral observed, gravely, and not altogether without melan- 
choly in his manner — 

“We have had a good run, though it hath been more 
northerly than I could have desired. I find that the ves- 
sels are thirty leagues further from Ferro than when the 
sun set, and thou seest here that I have written four-and- 
twenty in the reckoning that is intended for the eyes of 
the people. But there hath been great weakness at work 
this night among the steersmen, if not treachery ; they 
have kept the ship away in a manner to cause her to run 
a part of the time in a direction nearly parallel to the 
coast of Europe, so that they have been endeavoring to 
deceive me, on the deck, while I have thought it necessary 
to attempt deceiving them in the cabin. It is painful, Don 
Luis, to find such deceptions resorted to, or such decep- 
tions necessary, when one is engaged in an enterprise that 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


2 35 


surpasseth all others ever yet attempted by man, and that, 
too, with a view to the glory of God, the advantage of the 
human race, and the especial interests of Spain/’ 

“ The holy churchmen themselves, Don Christopher, 
are obliged to submit to this evil,” answered the careless 
Luis ; “ and it does not become us laymen to repine at 
what they endure. I am told that half the miracles they 
perform are, in truth, miracles of but a very indifferent 
quality ; the doubts and want of faith of us hardened sin- 
ners rendering such little inventions necessary for the 
good of our souls.” 

“ That there are false-minded and treacherous church- 
men, as well as false-minded and treacherous laymen, 
Luis, I little doubt,” answered the admiral; “but this 
cometh of the fall of man and of his evil nature. There 
are also righteous and true miracles that come of the 
power of God, and which are intended to uphold the 
faith, and to encourage those who love and honor His 
holy name. I do not esteem anything that hath yet be- 
fallen us to belong very distinctly to this class ; nor do I 
venture to hope that we are to be favored in this manner 
by an especial intervention in our behalf ; but it exceed- 
eth all the machinations of the devils to persuade me that 
we shall be deserted while bent on so glorious a design, 
or that we are not, indirectly and secretly, led in our voy- 
age by a spirit and knowledge that both come of Divine 
grace and infinite wisdom.” 

“This may be so, Don Christopher, so far as you are 
concerned ; though for myself I claim no higher a guide 
than an angel. An angel’s purity, and, I hope I may 
add, an angel’s love, lead me in my blind path across the 
ocean ! ” 

“ So it seemeth to thee, Luis ; but thou canst not know 
that a higher power doth not use the Doha Mercedes as 
an instrument in this matter. Although no miracle ren- 
dereth it apparent to the vulgar, a spirit is placed in my 
breast in conducting this enterprise, that I should deem it 
blasphemy to resist. God be praised, my boy, we are at 
last quit of the Portuguese, and are fairly on our road ! 
At present all our obstacles must arise from the elements, 
or from our own fears. It gladdeneth my heart to find 
that the two Pinzons remain true, and that they keep 
their caravels close to the Santa Maria, like men bent on 
maintaining their faith and seeing an end of the advent- 
ure.” 


236 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


As Luis was now ready he and the admiral left the cabin 
together. The sun had risen, and the broad expanse of 
the ocean was glittering with his rays. The wind had 
freshened and was gradually getting further to the south, 
so that the vessels headed up nearly to the course ; and 
there being but little sea the progress of the fleet was in 
proportion considerable. Everything appeared propi- 
tious, and the first burst of grief, on losing sight of known 
land, having subsided, the crews were more tranquil, 
though dread of the future was smothered, like the latent 
fires of a volcano, rather than extinguished. The aspect 
of the sea was favorable, offering nothing to view that was 
unusual to mariners; and, as there is always somethinggrate- 
ful in a lively breeze when unaccompanied with danger, 
the men were probably encouraged by a state of things to 
which they were accustomed, and which brought with it 
cheerfulness and hope. In the course of the day and night 
the vessels ran a hundred and eighty miles still further 
into the trackless waste of the ocean, without awakening 
half the apprehensions in the bosoms of the mariners that 
they had experienced on losing sight of land. Columbus, 
however, acting on the cautious principle he had adopted, 
when he laid before his people the result of the twenty- 
four hours’ work, reduced the distance to about one hun- 
dred and fifty. 

Tuesday, the 10th of September, brought a still more 
favorable change of wind. This day, for the first time 
since quitting the Canaries, the heads of the vessels were 
laid fairly to the west ; and, with the old world directly be- 
hind them, and the unknown ocean in their front, the ad- 
venturers proceeded onward with a breeze at southeast. 
The rate of sailing was about five miles in the hour ; com- 
pensating for the want of speed by the steadiness of their 
progress and by the directness of their course. 

The observations that are usually made at sea, when the 
sun is in the zenith, were over, and Columbus had just an- 
nounced to his anxious companions that the vessels w T ere 
gradually setting south, owing to the drift of some invisi- 
ble current, when a cry from the mast-head announced the 
proximity of a whale. As the appearance of one of these 
monsters of the deep breaks the monotony of a sea life, 
every one was instantly on the lookout, some leaping into 
the rigging, and others upon the rails, in order to catch a 
glimpse of his gambols. 

“Dost thou see him, Sancho ?” demanded the admiral 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*3l 


cf Mundo, the latter being near him at the moment. “To 
me the water hath no appearance of any such animals be- 
ing at hand.” 

“Your Excellency’s eye, Senor Don Almirante, is far 
truer than that of the babbler’s aloft. Sure as this is the 
Atlantic, and yonder is the foam of the crests of the waves, 
there is no whale.” 

“ The flukes ! the flukes!” shouted a dozen voices at 
once, pointing to a spot where a dark object arose above 
the froth of the sea, showing a pointed summit, with short 
arms extended on each side. “ He playeth with his head 
beneath the water and the tail uppermost ! ” 

“ Alas ! alas ! ” exclaimed the practised Sancho, with 
the melancholy of a true seaman, “what these inexperi- 
enced and hasty brawlers call the fluke of a whale is 
naught but the mast of some unhappy ship, that hath left 
her bones, with her freight and her people, in the depths 
of the ocean ! ” 

“Thou art right, Sancho,” returned the admiral. “I 
now see that thou meanest ; it is truly a spar, and doubt- 
less betokeneth a shipwreck.” 

This fact passed quickly from mouth to mouth, and the 
sadness that ever accompanies the evidences of such a dis- 
aster settled on the faces of all the beholders. The pilots 
alone showed indifference, and they consulted on the ex- 
pediency of endeavoring to secure the spar, as a resource 
in time of need ; but they abandoned the attempt on ac- 
count of the agitation of the water, and of the fairness of 
the wind, the latter being an advantage a true mariner sel- 
dom likes to lose. 

“This is a warning to us !” exclaimed one of the dis- 
affected, as the Santa Maria sailed past the waving sum- 
mit of the spar ; “God hath sent this sign to warn us not 
to venture where he never intended navigators to go ! ” 

“ Say, rather,” put in Sancho, who, having taken the fee, 
had ever since proved a willing advocate, “ it is an omen 
of encouragement sent from heaven. Dost thou not see 
that the part of the mast that is visible resembleth a cross, 
which holy sign is intended to lead us on, filled with hopes 
of success ? ” 

“ This is true, Sancho,” interrupted Columbus. “ A 
cross hath been reared for our edification, as it might be 
in the midst of the ocean, and we are to regard it as a 
proof that Providence is with us, in our attempt to carry its 
blessings to the aid and consolation of the heathen of Asia.” 


238 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


As the resemblance to the holy symbol was far from fan- 
ciful, this happy hit of Sancho’s was not without its ef- 
fect. The reader will understand the likeness all the bet- 
ter, when he is told that the upper end of a mast has much 
the appearance of a cross, by means of the trussel-trees ; 
and, as often happens, this particular spar was floating 
nearly perpendicular, owing to some heavy object being 
fast to its heel, leaving the summit raised some fifteen or 
twenty feet above the surface of the sea. In a quarter of 
an hour this last relic of Europe and of civilization disap- 
peared in the wake of the vessels, gradually diminishing in 
size and settling toward the water, until its faint outlines 
vanished in threads, still wearing the well-known shape of 
the revered symbol of Christianity. 

After this little incident, the progress of the vessels was 
uninterrupted by any event worthy of notice for two days 
and nights. All this time the wind was favorable, and the 
adventurers proceeded due west, by compass, which was, 
in fact, however, going a little north of the real point — a 
truth that the knowledge of the period had not yet mas- 
tered. Between the morning of the 10th September and the 
evening of the 13th the fleet had passed over near ninety 
leagues of pcean, holding its way in a line but a little 
deviating from a direct one athwart the great waste of 
water, and having consequently reached a point as far, if 
not further west than the position of the Azores, then the 
most westerly land known to European navigators. On 
the 13th the currents proved to be adverse, and, having a 
south-easterly set, they had a tendency to cause the ships 
to sheer southwardly, bringing them each hour nearer to 
the northern margin of the trades. 

The admiral and Luis were at their customary post on 
the evening of the 13th — the day last mentioned — as Sancho 
left the helm, his tour of duty having just ended. Instead 
of going forward, as usual, among the people* the fellow 
hesitated, surveyed the poqp with a longing eye, and, find- 
ing it occupied only by the admiral and his constant com- 
panion, he ascended the ladder, as if desirous of making 
some communication. 

“ Wouldst thou aught with me, Sancho?” demanded the 
admiral, waiting for the man to make certain that no one 
else was on the narrow deck. “Speak, freely; thou hast 
my confidence.” 

“ Senor Don Almirante, your Excellency well knoweth 
that I am no fresh-water fish, to be frightened at the sight 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


239 


of a shark or a whale, or one that is terrified because a 
ship headeth west instead of east ; and yet I do corne to 
say that this voyage is not altogether without certain signs 
and marvels, that it may be well for a mariner to respect, 
as unusual if not ominous.” 

“ As thou sayest, Sancho, thou art no driveller to be 
terrified by the flight of a bird, or at the presage of a drift- 
ing spar, and thou awakenest my curiosity to know more. 
The Senor de Munos is my confidential secretary, and 
nothing need be hid from him. Speak freely, then, and 
without further delay. If gold is thy aim be certain thou 
shalt have it.” 

“ No, Senor, my news is not worth a maravedi, or it is 
far beyond the price of gold ; such as it is, your Excellency 
can take it, and think no more of my reward. You know, 
Senor, that we old mariners will have our thoughts as we 
stand at the helm, sometimes fancying the smiles and good 
looks of some hussy ashore, sometimes remembering the 
flavor of rich fruits and well-savored mutton ; and then, 
again, for a wonder, bethinking us of our sins.” 

“Fellow, all this I well know ; but it is not matter for 
an admiral’s ear.” 

“ I know not that, Senor ; I have known admirals who 
have relished mutton after a long cruise ; ay, and who 
have bethought them, too, of smiling faces and bright 
eyes, and who, if they did not, at times, bethink them of 
their sins have done what was much worse, help to add to 
the great account that was heaping up against them. Now, 
there was ” 

“ Let me toss this vagabond into the sea at once, Don 
Christopher,” interrupted the impatient Luis, making a 
forward movement as if to execute the threat, an act which 
the hand of Columbus arrested ; “ we shall never hear a 
tale the right end first as long as he remaineth in the ship.” 

“ I thank you, my young Lord of Llera,” answered 
Sancho, with an ironical smile ; “ if you are as ready at 
drowning seamen as you are at unhorsing Christian knights 
in the tourney and Infidels in the fray, I would rather that 
another should be master of my baths.” 

“ Thou know’st me, knave ? Thou hast seen me on 
some earlier voyage.” 

“ A cat may look at a king, Senor Conde ; and why not 
a mariner on his passenger ? But spare your threats, and 
your secret is in safe hands. If we reach Cathay, no one 
will be ashamed of having made the voyage ; and if we 


240 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


miss it, it is little likely that any will go back to relate the 
precise manner in which your Excellency was drowned, 
or starved to death, or in what other manner you became 
a saint in Abraham's bosom.” 

“Enough of this!” said Columbus, sternly; “relate 
what thou hast to say, and see that thou art discreet touch- 
ing this young noble.” 

“Senor, your word is law. Well, Don Christopher, it is 
one of the tricks of us mariners, at night, to be watching 
an old and constant friend, the north star ; and while thus 
occupied an hour since, I noted that this faithful guide 
and the coffipass by which I was steering told different 
tales.” 

“Art certain of this?” demanded the admiral, with a 
quickness and emphasis that betrayed the interest he felt 
in the communication. 

“ As certain, Senor, as fifty years’ looking at the star, 
and forty years’ watching of the compass can make a man. 
But there is no occasion, your Excellency, to depend on 
my ignorance, since the star is still w T here God placed it ; 
and there is your private compass at your elbow — one may 
be compared with the other.” 

Columbus had already bethought him of making this 
comparison ; and by the time Sancho ceased speaking, he 
and Luis were examining the instrument with eager curi- 
osity. The first, and the most natural impression, was a 
belief that the needle of the instrument below was defec- 
tive, or, at least, influenced by some foreign cause ; but an 
attentive observation soon convinced the navigator that the 
remark of Sancho was true. He was both astonished and 
concerned to find that the habitual care and professional 
eye of the fellow had been active and quick to note a 
change as unusual as this. It was, indeed, so common 
with mariners to compare their compasses with the north 
star — a luminary that was supposed never to vary its po- 
sition in the heavens, as that position related to man — that 
no experienced seaman, who happened to be at the helm 
at nightfall, could well overlook the phenomenon. 

After repeated observations with his own compasses, of 
which he kept two — one on the poop, and another in the 
cabin ; and having recourse also to the two instruments in 
the binnacle, Columbus )yas compelled to admit to him- 
self that all four varied, alike, from their usual direction, 
nearly six degrees. Instead of pointing due north, or, at 
least, in a direct line toward a point on the horizon imme* 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


241 


diately beneath the star, they pointed some five or six 
degrees to the westward of it. This was both a novel and 
an astounding departure from the laws of nature, as they 
were then understood, and threatened to render the desired 
results of the voy ige so much the more difficult of attain- 
ment, as it at once deprived the adventurers of a sure reli- 
ance on the mariner’s principal guide, and would render 
it difficult to sail, with any feeling of certainty as to the 
course, in cloudy weather, or dark nights. The first thought 
of the admiral on this occasion, however, was to prevent 
the effect which such a discovery would be likely to pro- 
duce on men already disposed to anticipate the worst. 

“Thou wilt say nothing of this, Sancho ? ” he observed 
to the man. “ Here is another dobla to add to thy store.” 

“ Excellency, pardon a humble seaman’s disobedience, if 
my hand refuse to open to your gift. This matter touch- 
eth of supernatural means ; and, as the devil may have an 
agency in the miracle, in order to prevent our converting 
them heathen, of whom you so often speak, I prefer to 
keep my soul as pure as may be, in the matter, since no 
one knoweth w T hat weapons we may be driven to use, 
should we come to real blows with the Father of Sin.” 

“Thou wilt, at least, prove discreet?” 

“ Trust me for that, Senor Don Almirante ; not a word 
shall pass my lips about this matter, until I have your Ex- 
cellency’s permission to speak.” 

Columbus dismissed the man, and then he turned toward 
Luis, who had been a silent but attentive listener to what 
had passed. 

“You seem disturbed at this departure from the usual 
laws of the compass, Don Christopher,” observed the 
young man, gaily. “To me it would seem better to rely 
altogether on Providence, which would scarcely lead us 
out here, into the wide Atlantic, on its own errand, and 
desert 11s when we most need its aid.” 

“ God implants in the bosom of his servants a desire to 
advance* his ends, but human agents are compelled to em- 
ploy natural means, and, in order to use such means ad- 
vantageously it is necessary to understand them. I look 
upon this phenomenon as a proof that our voyage is to re- 
sult in discoveries of unknown magnitude, among which, 
perhaps, are to be numbered some clew to the mysteries 
of the needle. The mineral riches of Spain differ, in cer- 
tain particulars, from the mineral riches of France ; for, 
though some things are common to all lands, others are 
16 


242 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


peculiar to particular countries. We may find regions 
where the loadstone abounds, or may, even now, be in the 
neighborhood of some island that hath an influence on our 
compasses that we cannot explain.” 

“ Is it known that islands have ever produced this effect 
on the needle ? ” 

“ It is not ; nor do I deem such a circumstance very 
probable, though all things are possible. We will wait 
patiently for further proofs that this phenomenon is real 
and permanent, ere we reason further on a matter that is 
so difficult to be understood.” 

The subject was now dropped, though the unusual inci- 
dent gave the great navigator an uneasy and thoughtful 
night. He slept little, and often was his eye fastened on 
the compass that was suspended in his cabin as a “ tell- 
tale,” for so seamen term the instrument by which the of- 
ficer overlooks the course that is steered by the helmsman, 
even when the latter least suspects his supervision. Col- 
umbus arose sufficiently early to get a view of the star be- 
fore its brightness was dimmed by the return of light, and 
made another deliberate comparison of the position of this 
familiar heavenly body with the direction of the needles. 
The examination proved a slight increase of the variation, 
and tended to corroborate the observations of the previous 
night. The result of the reckoning showed that the ves- 
sels had run nearly a hundred miles in the course of the 
last twenty-four hours, and Columbus now believed him- 
self to be about six times that distance west of Ferro, 
though even the pilots fancied themselves by no means as 
far. 

As Sancho kept his secret, and no other eye among the 
helmsmen was as vigilant, the important circumstance, as 
yet, escaped general attention. It was only at night, in- 
deed, that the variation could be observed by means of the 
polar star, and it was yet so slight that no one but a very 
experienced and quick-eyed mariner would be apt to note 
it. The whole of the day and night of the 14th conse- 
quently passed without the crew’s taking the alarm, and 
this so much the more as the wind had fallen, and the ves- 
sels were only some sixty miles further west than when 
they commenced. Still, Columbus noted the difference, 
slight as was the change, ascertaining, with the precision 
of an experienced and able navigator, that the needle was 
gradually varying more and more to the westward, though 
it was by steps that were nearly imperceptible. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


243 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

“On thy unaltering blaze 
The half-wrecked mariner, his compass lost, 

Fixes his steady gaze, 

And steers, undoubting, to the friendly coast ; 

And they who stray in perilous wastes, by night, 

Are glad when thou dost shine to guide their footsteps right.” 

• — Hymn to the North Star. 


The following day was Saturday, the 15th, when the lit- 
tle fleet was ten days from Gomera ; or it was the sixth 
morning since the adventurers had lost sight of the land. 
The last week had been one of melancholy forebodings, 
though habit was beginning to assert its influence, and the 
men manifested openly less uneasiness than they had done 
in the three or four previous days. Their apprehensions 
were getting to be dormant for want of any exciting and 
apparent stimulus, though they existed as latent impulses, 
in readiness to be roused at the occurrence of any un- 
toward event. The wind continued fair, though light — 
the whole twenty-four hours’ work showing considerably 
less than a hundred miles, as the true progress west. All 
this time Columbus kept his attention fastened on the 
needles, and he perceived that as the vessels slowly made 
their westing, the magnets pointed more and more, though 
by scarcely palpable changes, in the same direction. 

The admiral and Luis, by this time, had fallen into such 
habits of close communication, that they usually rose and 
slept at the same time. Though far too ignorant of the 
hazards he ran to feel uneasiness, and constitutionally, as 
well as morally, superior to idle alarms, the young man 
had got to feel a sort of sportsman’s excitement in the re- 
sult ; and, by this time, had not Mercedes existed, he would 
have been as reluctant to return without seeing Cathay as 
Columbus himself. They conversed together of their prog- 
ress and their hopes, without ceasing, and Luis took so 
much interest in his situation as to begin to learn how to 
discriminate in matters that might be supposed to affect 
its duration and ends. 

On the night of the Saturday just mentioned, Columbus 
and his reputed secretary were alone on the poop, convers- 
ing, as usual, on the signs of the times, and of the events 
of the day. 


244 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“The Nina had something to say to you last evening, 
Don Christopher/' observed the young man ; “ I was oc- 
cupied in the cabin with my journal, and had no oppor- 
tunity of knowing what passed.” 

“ Her people had seen a bird or two that are thought 
never to go far from the land. It is possible that islands 
are at no great distance, for man hath nowhere passed over 
any very great extent of sea without meeting with them. 
We cannot, however, waste the time necessary for a search, 
since the glory and profit of ascertaining the situation of a 
group of islands would be but a poor compensation for the 
loss of a continent.” 

“ Do you still remark those unaccountable changes in 
the needles, Senor ? ” 

“ In this respect there is no change, except that which 
goeth to corroborate the phenomenon. My chief appre- 
hension is of the effect on the people when the circum- 
stances shall be known.” 

“Are there no means to persuade them that the needle 
pointeth thus west, as a sign Providence willeth they 
should pursue that course, by persevering in the voyage?” 

“This might do, Luis,” answered the admiral, smiling, 
“ had not fear so sharpened their wits, that their first 
question would be an inquiry why Providence should de- 
prive us of the means of knowing whither we are travel- 
ling , when it so much wisheth us to go in any particular 
direction.” 

A cry from the watch on deck arrested the discourse, 
while a sudden brightness broke on the night, illuminating 
the vessels and the ocean, as if a thousand lamps were 
shedding their brilliancy upon the surrounding portion 
of the sphere. A ball of fire was glancing athwart the 
heavens, and seemed to fall into the sea, at the distance of 
a few leagues, or at the limits of the visible horizon. Its 
disappearance was followed by a gloom as profound as the 
extraordinary and fleeting light had been brilliant. This 
was only the passage of a meteor ; but it was such a 
meteor as men do not see more than once in their lives — 
if it is seen as often ; and the superstitious mariners did 
not fail to note the incident among the extraordinary 
omens that accompanied the voyage ; some auguring 
good and others evil from the event 

“ By St. I ago ! ” exclaimed Luis, as soon as the light 
had vanished, “ Sefior Don Christopher, this voyage of ours 
doth not seem fated to pass away unheeded by the eie- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


245 


ments and other notable powers ! Whether these portents 
speak in our favor or not, they speak us anything but men 
engaged in an every-day occupation.” 

“ Tims it is with the human mind ! ” returned Columbus. 
“ Let but its owner pass beyond the limits of his ordinary 
habits and duties, and he sees marvels in the most simple 
changes of the weather — in a flash of lightning, a blast 
of air, or the passage of a meteor ; little heeding that 
these miracles exist in his own consciousness, and have 
no connection with the every-day laws of nature. These 
sights are by no means uncommon, especially in low 
latitudes ; and they augur neither for nor against our 
enterprise.” 

“ Except, Sefior Almirante, as they may beset the spirits 
and haunt the imaginations of the men. Sancho telleth 
me that a brooding discontent is growing among them ; 
and that, while they seem so tranquil, their disrelish of 
the voyage is hourly getting to be more and more de- 
cided.” 

Notwithstanding this opinion of the admiral, and some 
pains that he afterward took to explain the phenomenon 
to the people on deck, the passage of the meteor had, 
indeed, not only produced a deep impression on them, but 
its history went from watch to watch, and was the subject 
of earnest discourse throughout the night. But the inci- 
dent produced no open manifestation of discontent ; a few 
deeming it a propitious omen, though most secretly con- 
sidered it an admonition from heaven against any impious 
attempts to pry into those mysteries of nature that, ac- 
cording to their notions, God, in his providence, had not 
seen fit to reveal to man. 

All this time the vessels were making a steady progress 
toward the west. The wind had often varied, both in 
force and direction, but never in a manner to compel the 
ships to shorten sail, or to deviate from what the admiral 
believed to be the proper course. They supposed them- 
selves to be steering due west, but, owing to the variation, 
were in fact now holding a west-and-by-south course, and 
were gradually getting nearer to the trades ; a movement 
in which they had also been materially aided by the force 
of the currents. In the course of the 15th and 16th of the 
month the fleet had got about two hundred miles further 
from Europe, Columbus taking the usual precaution to 
lessen the distance in the public reckoning. The latter 
day was a Sunday, and the religious offices, which were 


246 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


then seldom neglected in a Christian ship, produced a 
deep and subdued effect on the feelings of the adventurers 
Hitherto the weather had partaken of the usual character 
of the season, and a few clouds, with a slight drizzling 
rain, had relieved the heat ; but these soon passed away, 
and were succeeded by a soft southeast wind, that seemed 
to come charged with the fragrance of the land. The 
men united in the evening chants, under these propitious 
circumstances ; the vessels drawing near each other, as if 
it might be to form one temple in honor of God, amid the 
vast solitudes of an ocean that had seldom, if ever, been 
whitened by a sail. Cheerfulness and hope succeeded to 
this act of devotion, and both were speedily heightened 
by a cry from the look-out aloft, who pointed ahead and 
to leeward, as if he beheld some object of peculiar interest 
in that quarter. The helms were varied a little ; and in a 
few minutes the vessels entered into a field of sea-weed 
that covered the ocean for miles. This sign of the vicinity 
of land was received by the mariners with a shout ; and 
the very beings who had so shortly before been balancing 
on the verge of despair now became elate with joy. 

These weeds were indeed of a character to awaken hope 
in the bosom of the most experienced mariner. Although 
some had lost their freshness, a great proportion of them 
were still green, and had the appearance of having been 
quite recently separated from their parent rocks, or the 
earth that had nourished them. No doubt was now en- 
tertained, even by the pilots, of the vicinity of land. Tun- 
ny-fish were also seen in numbers, and the people of the 
Nina were sufficiently fortunate to strike one. The sea- 
men embraced each other with tears in their eyes, and 
many a hand was squeezed in friendly congratulation that 
the previous day would have been withheld in surly mis- 
anthropy. 

“And do you partake of all this hope, Don Christo- 
pher?” demanded Luis ; “are we really to expect the In- 
dies as a consequence of these marine plants, or is the ex- 
pectation idle ? ” 

“ The people deceive themselves in supposing our voy- 
age near an end. Cathay must yet be very distant from 
us. We have come but three hundred and sixty leagues 
since losing sight of Ferro, which, according to my com- 
putations, cannot be much more than a third of our 
journey. Aristotle mentioned that certain vessels of 
Cadiz were forced westward by heavy gales, until they 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


247 


reached a sea covered with weeds, a spot where the tun- 
ny-fish abounded. This is the fish, thou must know, 
Luis, that the ancients fancied could see better with the 
right eye than with the left, because it hath been noted 
that in passing the Bosporus they ever take the right 
shore in proceeding toward the Euxine, and the left in re- 
turning ” 

“ By St. Francis ! there can be no wonder if creatures so 
one-sided in their vision should have strayed thus far from 
home,” interrupted the light-hearted Luis, laughing. 
“ Doth Aristotle, or the other ancients, tell us how they 
regarded beauty ; or whether their notions of justice were 
like those of the magistrate who hath been fed by both 
parties ? ” 

“ Aristotle speaketh only of the presence of the fish in 
the weedy ocean as we see them before us. The mariners 
of Cadiz fancied themselves in the neighborhood of sunken 
islands, and, the wind permitting, made the best of their 
way back to their own shores. This place, in my judg- 
ment, we have now reached ; but I expect to meet with no 
land, unless, indeed, we may happen to fall in with some 
island that lieth olf here in the ocean as a sort of beacon 
between the shore of Europe and that of Asia. Doubtless 
land is not distant, whence these weeds have drifted, but I 
attach little importance to its sight or discovery. Cathay 
is my aim, Don Luis, and I am a searcher for continents, 
not islands.” 

It is now known that while Columbus was right in his 
expectations of not finding a continent so early, he was 
mistaken in supposing laud to lie anywhere in that vicin- 
ity. Whether these weeds are collected by the course of 
the currents, or whether they rise from the bottom, torn 
from their beds bv the action of the water, is not yet abso- 
lutely ascertained, though the latter is the most common 
opinion, extensive shoals existing in this quarter of the 
ocean. Under the latter supposition the mariners of Cadiz 
were nearer the truth than is first apparent, a sunken 
island having all the characteristics of a shoal but those 
wdiich may be supposed to be connected with the mode of 
formation. 

No land was seen. The vessels continued their progress 
at a rate but little varying from five miles the hour, shov- 
ing aside the weeds, which at times accumulated in masses 
under their bows, but which could offer no serious obstacle 
to their progress. As for the admiral, so lofty were his 


248 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


views, so steady his opinions concerning the great geo- 
graphical problem he was about to solve, and so de- 
termined his resolution to persevere to the end, that he 
rather hoped to miss than to fall in with the islands, that 
he fancied could be at no great distance. The day and 
night carried the vessels rather more than one hundred 
miles to the westward, placing the fleet not far from mid- 
way between the meridians that bounded the extreme west- 
ern and eastern margins of the two continents, though 
still much nearer to Africa than to America, following the 
parallel of latitude on which it was sailing. As the wind 
continued steady, and the sea was as smooth as a river, the 
three vessels kept close together, the Pinta, the swiftest 
craft, reducing her canvas for that purpose. During the 
afternoon’s watch of the day that succeeded that of the 
meeting with the weeds, which was Monday, the 17th of 
September, or the eighth day after losing sight of Ferro, 
Martin Alonzo Pinzon hailed the Santa Maria, and ac- 
quainted the pilot on deck of his intention to get the 
amplitude of the sun, as soon as the luminary should be 
low enough, with a view to ascertain how far his needles 
retained their virtue. This observation, one of no un- 
usual occurrence among mariners, it was thought had 
better be made in all the caravels simultaneously, that any 
error of one might be corrected by the greater accuracy 
of the rest. 

Columbus and Luis were in a profound sleep in their 
cots, taking their siestas, when the former was awakened 
bv such a shake of the shoulder as seamen are wont to 
give and are content to receive. It never required more 
than a minute to arouse the great navigator from his deep- 
est slumbers to the fullest possession of his faculties, and 
he was awake in an instant. 

“ Senior Don Almirante,” said Sancho, who was the in- 
truder, “ it is time to be stirring ; all the pilots are on 
deck in readiness to measure the amplitude of the sun, as 
soon as the heavenly bodies are in their right places. The 
west is already beginning to look like a dying dolphin, and 
ere many minutes it will be gilded like the helmet of a 
Moorish Sultan.” 

“ An amplitude measured ! ” exclaimed Columbus, quit- 
ting his cot on the instant. “This is news, indeed ! Now 
we may look for such a stir among the people as hath not 
been witnessed since we left Cadiz ! ” 

“ So it hath appeared to me, your Excellency, for the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


249 


mariner hath some such faith in the needle as the church- 
man bestoweth on the goodness of the Son of God. The 
people are in a happy humor at this moment, but the 
saints only know what is to come ! ” 

The admiral awoke Luis, and in five minutes both were 
at their customary station on the poop. Columbus had 
gained so high a reputation for skill in navigation, his 
judgment invariably proving right, even when opposed to 
those of all the pilots in the fleet, that the latter were not 
sorry to perceive he had no intention to take an instru- 
ment in hand, but seemed disposed to leave the issue to 
their own skill and practice. The sun slowly settled, the 
proper time was watched, and then these rude mariners 
set about their task, in the mode that was practised in their 
time. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the most ready and best 
taught of them all, was soonest through with his task. 
From his lofty stand, the admiral could overlook the deck 
of the Pinta, which vessel was sailing but a few hundred 
yards from the Santa Maria, and it was not long before he 
observed her commander moving from one compass to 
another, in the manner of a man who was disturbed. 
Another minute or two elapsed, when the skiff of the cara- 
vel was launched ; a sign was made for the admiral’s vessel 
to shorten sail, and Martin Alonzo was soon forcing his 
way through the weeds that still covered the surface of the 
ocean toward the Santa Maria. As he gained the deck of 
the latter ship on one of her sides, his kinsman, Vicente 
Yafiez, the commander of the Nina, did the same thing on 
the other. In the next instant both were at the side of the 
great navigator, on the poop, whither they had been fol- 
lowed by-Sancho Ruiz and Bartolemeo Roldan, the two 
pilots of the admiral. 

“What meaneth this haste, good Martin Alonzo ?” calm- 
ly asked Columbus; “thou and thy brother, Vicente 
Yanez, and these honest pilots, hurry toward me as if ye 
had cheering tidings from Cathay.” 

“God only knoweth, Senor Almirante, if any of us are 
ever to be permitted to see that distant land, or any shore 
that is only to be reached by mariners through the aid of 
a needle,” answered the elder Pinzon, with a haste that al- 
most rendered him breathless. “ Here have we all been 
at the comparison of the instruments, and we find them, 
without a single exception, varying from the true north 
by at least a full point ! ” 

“That would be a marvel, truly! Ye have made some 


25 ° 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


oversight in your observations, or have been heedless in 
the estimates.” 

“ Not so, noble admiral,” put in Vicente Yanez, to sustain 
his brother. “ Even the magnets are becoming false to us ; 
and, as I mentioned the circumstance to the oldest steers- 
man of my craft, he assures me that the north star did not 
tally with his instrument throughout the night ! ” 

“ Others say the same, here,” added Ruiz ; “ nay, some 
are ready to swear that the wonder hath been noted ever 
since we entered the sea of weeds ! ” 

“This may be so, Sehores,” answered Columbus, with 
an undisturbed mien, “and yet no evil follow. We all 
know that the heavenly bodies have their revolutions, some 
of which no doubt are irregular, while others are more in 
conformity with certain settled rules. Thus it is with the 
sun himself, which passeth once around the earth in the 
short space of twenty-four hours, while no doubt he hath 
other and more subtile movements, that are unknown to 
us on account of the exceeding distance at which he is 
placed in the heavens. Many astronomers have thought 
that they have been able to detect these variations, spots 
having been seen on the disk of the orb at times, which 
have disappeared, as if hid behind the body of the lumi- 
nary. I think it will be found that the north star hath 
made some slight deviation in its position, and that it will 
continue thus to move for some short period, after which, 
no doubt, it will be found returning to its customary po- 
sition, when it will be seen that its temporary eccentricity 
hath in no manner disturbed its usual harmony with the 
needles. Note the star well through the night, and in the 
morning let the amplitude be again taken, when I think 
the truth of my conjecture will be proved by the regularity 
of the movement of the heavenly body. So far from being 
discouraged by this sign, we ought rather to rejoice that 
we have made a discovery, which, of itself, will entitle the 
expedition to the credit of having added materially to the 
stores of science ! ” 

The pilots were fain to be satisfied with this solution of 
their doubts, in the absence of any other means of ac- 
counting for them. They remained long on the poop 
discoursing of the strange occurrence ; and as men, even 
in their blindest moods, usually reason themselves into 
either tranquillity or apprehension, they fortunately suc- 
ceeded in doing the first on this occasion. With the men 
there was more difficulty, for when it became known to the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


25 


crews of the three vessels that the needles had begun to 
deviate from their usual direction, ^ feeling akin to despair 
seized on them, almost without exception. Here Sancho 
was of material service. When the panic was at its height, 
and the people were on the point of presenting themselves 
to the admiral, with a demand that the heads of the caravels 
should be immediately turned toward the northeast, he 
interposed with his knowledge and influence to calm the 
tumult. The first means this trusty follower had recourse 
to, in order to bring his shipmates back to reason, was to 
swear, without reservation, that he had frequently known 
the needle and the north star to vary, having witnessed 
the fact with his own eyes on twenty previous occasions, 
and no harm to come of it. He invited the elder and 
more experienced seamen to make an accurate observation 
of the difference which already existed, which was quite a 
point of the compass, and then to see, in the morning, if 
this difference had not increased in the same direction. 

“ This,” he continued, “ will be a certain sign, my friends, 
that the star is in motion, since we can all see that the 
compasses are just where they have been ever since we 
left Palos de Moguer. When one of two things is in 
motion, and it is certain which stands still, there can be 
no great difficulty in saying which is the uneasy one. 
Now, look thou here, Martin Martinez,” who was one of 
the most factious of the disaffected ; “ words are of little 
use when men can prove their meaning by experiments 
like this. Thou seest two balls of spun yarn on this wind- 
lass ; well, it is wanted to be known which of them remains 
there, and which is taken away. I remove the smallest 
ball, thou perceivest, and the largest remains ; from which 
it followeth, as only one can remain, and that one is the 
larger ball, why the smaller must be taken away. I hold 
no man fit to steer a caravel, by needle or by star, who 
will deny a thing that is proved as plainly and as simply 
as this !” 

Martin Martinez, though a singularly disaffected man, 
was no logician ; and, Sancho’s oaths backing his demon- 
strations to the letter, his party soon became the most 
numerous. As there is nothing so encouraging to the dull- 
minded and discontented mutineer as to perceive that he 
is of the strongest side, so is there nothing so discouraging 
as to find himself in the minority ; and Sancho so far pre- 
vailed as to bring most of his fellows round to a belief in 
the expediency of waiting to ascertain the state of things 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


25 2 

in the morning, before they committed themselves by any 
act of rashness. « 

“ Thou hast done well, Sancho,” said Columbus, an hour 
later, when the mariner came secretly to make his nightly 
report of the state of feeling among the people. “ Thou 
hast done well in all but these oaths, taken to prove that 
thou hast witnessed this phenomenon before. Much as I 
have navigated the earth, and careful as have been my ob 
servations, and ample as have be,en my means, never be- 
fore have I known the needle to vary from its direction to- 
ward the north star ; and I think that which hath escaped 
my notice would not be apt to attract thine.” 

“You do me injustice, Senor Don Almirante, and have 
inflicted a wound touching my honesty that a dobla only 
can cure” 

“Thou k nowest, Sancho, that no one felt more alarm 
when the deviation of the needle was first noted than thy- 
self. So great, in sooth, was thy apprehension, that thou 
even refused to receive gold, a weakness of which thou art 
usually exceedingly innocent.” 

“ When the deviation was first noted, your Excellency, 
this was true enough ; for, not to attempt to mislead one 
who hath more penetration than befalleth ordinary men, I 
did fancy that our hopes of ever seeing Spain or St. Clara 
de Moguer again were so trifling as to make it of no great 
consequence who was admiral, and who a simple helms- 
man.” 

“ And yet thou wouldst now brazen it out, and deny thy 
terror ! Didst thou not swear to thy fellows, that thou 
hadst often seen this deviation before ; ay, even on as many 
as twenty occasions ?” 

“Well, Excellency, this is a proof that a cavalier may 
make a very capital viceroy and admiral, and know all 
about Cathay, without having the clearest notions of his- 
tory ! I told my shipmates, Don Christopher, that I had 
noted these changes before this night, and if tied to the 
stake to be burnt as a martyr, as I sometimes think will 
one day be the fate of all of us superfluously honest men, 
I would call on yourself, Senor Almirante, as the witness 
of the truth of what I had sworn to.” 

“ Thou wouldst, then, summon a most unfortunate wit- 
ness, Sancho, since I neither practise false oaths myself 
nor encourage their use in others.” 

“ Don Luis de Bobadillay Pedro de Munos here would 
then be my reliance,” said the imperturbable Sancho ; “for 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


2 53 


proof a man hath a right to, when wrongfully accused, and 
proof I will have. Your Excellency will please to remem- 
ber that it was on the night of Saturday, the 15th, that I 
first notified your worship of this very change, and that we 
are now at the night of Monday, the 17th. I swore to 
twenty times noting this phenomenon, as it is called, in 
those eight-and-fortv hours, when it would have been 
nearer the truth had I said two hundred times. Santa 
Maria ! I did nothing but note it for the first few hours ! ” 

“ Go to, Sancho ; thy conscience hath its latitude as 
well as its longitude ; but thou hast thy uses. Now that 
thou understandest the reason of the variation, however, 
thou wilt encourage thy fellows, as well as keep up thy 
spirits.” 

“ I make no question that it is all as your Excellency 
sayeth about the star’s travelling,” returned Sancho ; “ and 
it hath crossed my mind that it is possible we are nearer 
Cathay than we have thought, this movement being made 
by some evil-disposed spirits on purpose to make us lose 
the way.” 

“Go to thy hammock, knave, and bethink thee of thy 
sins, leaving the reason of these mysteries to those who 
are better taught. There is thy dobla, and see that thou 
art discreet.” 

In the morning every being in the three caravels waited 
impatiently for the results of the new observations. As the 
wind continued favorable, though far from fresh, and a 
current was found setting to the westward, the vessels had 
made, in the course of twenty-four hours, more than a 
hundred and fifty miles, which rendered the increase in 
the variation perceptible, thus corroborating a prophecy 
of Columbus that had been ventured on previous observa- 
tion. So easily are the ignorant the dupes of the plausible, 
that this solution temporarily satisfied all doubts, and it 
was generally believed that the star had moved, while the 
needle remained true. 

How far Columbus was misled by his own logic in this af- 
fair is still a matter of doubt. That he resorted to deceptions 
which might be considered innocent, in order to keep up 
the courage of his companions, is seen in the fact of the 
false, or public reckoning ; but there is no proof that this 
was one of the instances in which he had recourse to such 
means. No person of any science believed, even when the 
variation of the compass was unknown, that the needle 
pointed necessarily to the polar star ; the coincidence in 


254 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


the direction of the magnetic needle and the position of 
the heavenly body being thought accidental ; and there is 
nothing extravagant in supposing that the admiral — who 
had the instrument in his possession, and was able to ascer- 
tain that none of its virtue was visibly lost, while he could 
only reason from supposed analogy concerning the evolu- 
tions of the star — should imagine that a friend he had ever 
found so faithful, had now deserted him, leaving him dis* 
posed to throw the whole mystery of the phenomenon on 
the more distant dwellers in space. Two opinions have 
been ventured concerning the belief of the celebrated nav- 
igator in the theory he advanced on this occasion ; the one 
affirming, and the other denying, his good faith in urging 
the doctrine he had laid down. Those who assert the 
latter, however, would seem to reason a little loosely them- 
selves, their argument mainly resting on the improbability 
of a man like Columbus uttering so gross a scientific error, 
at a time when science itself knew no more of the existence 
of the phenomenon than is known to-day of its cause. 
Still it is possible that the admiral may not have had any 
settled notions on the subject, even while he was half in- 
clined to hope his explanation was correct ; for it is certain 
that, in the midst of the astronomical and geographical 
ignorance of his age, this extraordinary man had many ac- 
curate and sublime glimpses of truths that were still in 
embryo as respected their development and demonstration 
by the lights of precise and inductive reasoning. 

Fortunately, if the light brought with it the means of 
ascertaining with certainty the variation of the needle, it 
also brought the means of perceiving that the sea was still 
covered with weeds, and other signs that were thought to 
be encouraging as connected with the vicinity of land. 
The current being now in the same direction as the wind, 
the surface of the ocean was literally as smooth as that of 
an inland sheet of water, and the vessels were enabled to 
sail without danger within a few fathoms of each other. 

“This weed, Senor Almirante,” called out the elder 
Pinzon, “ hath the appearance of that which groweth on 
the banks of streams, and I doubt not that we are near to 
the mouth of some exceeding great river ! ” 

“This may be so,” returned Columbus; “than which 
there can be no more certain sign than may be found in 
the taste of the water. Let a bucket be drawn, that we 
may know.” 

While Pepe was busied in executing this order, waiting 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


255 


until the vessel had passed through a large body of weeds 
for that purpose, the quick eye of the admiral detected a 
crab struggling on the surface of the fresh-looking plants, 
and he called to the helmsman in sufficient season to ena- 
ble him so far to vary his course as to allow the animal to 
be taken. 

“ Here is a most precious prize, good Martin Alonzo,” 
said Columbus, holding the crab between a finger and 
thumb, that the other might see it. “ These animals are 
never known to go further than some eighty leagues from 
the land ; and see, Senor, yonder is one of the white 
tropic birds, which, it is said, never sleep on the water ! 
Truly, God favoreth us ; and what rendereth all these 
tokens more grateful is the circumstance of their coming 
from the west — the hidden, unknown, mysterious west ! ” 

A common shout burst from the crews at the appear- 
ance of these signs, and again the beings who lately had 
been on the verge of despair were buoyed up with hope, 
and ready to see propitious omens in even the most com- 
mon occurrences of the ocean. All the vessels had hauled 
up buckets of water, and fifty mouths were immediately 
wet with the brine ; and so general was the infatuation 
that every man declared the sea far less salt than usual. 
So complete, indeed, was the delusion created by these 
cheerful expectations, and so thoroughly had all concern 
in connection with the moving star been removed by the 
sophism of Sancho, that even Columbus, habitually so 
wary, so reasoning, so calm, amid his loftiest views, yielded 
to his native enthusiasm, and fancied that he was about to 
discover some vast island, placed midway between Asia 
and Europe ; an honor not to be despised, though it fell so 
far short of his higher expectations. 

“ Truly, friend Martin Alonzo,” he said, “this water 
seemeth to have less of the savor of the sea, than is cus- 
tomary at a distance from the outlet of large rivers ! ” 

“ My palate telleth the same tale, Senor Almirante. As 
a further sign, the Nina hath struck another tunny, and 
her people are at this moment hoisting it in.” 

Shout succeeded shout, as each new encouraging proof 
appeared ; and the admiral, yielding to the ardor of the 
crews, ordered sail to be pressed on all the vessels, that 
each might endeavor to outstrip the others in the hope of 
being the first to discover the expected island. This strife 
soon separated the caravels, the Pinta easily outsailing the 
other two, while the Santa Maria and the Nina came on 


256 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


more slowly in her rear. All was gayety and mirth the 
livelong day on board those isolated vessels, that, un- 
known to those they held, were navigating the middle of 
the Atlantic, with horizon extending beyond horizon, with- 
out change in the watery boundary, as circle would form 
without circle, on the same element, were a vast mass of 
solid matter suddenly dropped into the sea. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

“ The sails were filled, and fair the light winds blew, 

As glad to waft him from his native home ; 

And fast the white rocks faded from his view, 

And soon were lost in circumambient foam : 

And then, it may be, of his wish to roam 
Repented he, but in his bosom slept 

The silent thought, nor from his lips .did come 
One word of wail, whilst others sate and wept, 

And to the reckless gales unmanly moaning kept.” 

— Childe Harolds Pilgrimage. 

As night drew near the Pinta shortened sail, permitting 
her consorts to close. All eyes now turned anxiously to 
the west, where it was hoped that land might at any 
moment appear. The last tint, however, vanished from 
the horizon, and darkness enveloped the ocean without 
bringing any material change. The wind still blew a 
pleasant breeze from the southeast, and the surface of the 
ocean offered little more inequality than is usually met on 
the bosoms of large rivers. The compasses showed a 
slightly increasing deviation from their old coincidence 
with the polar star, and no one doubted any longer that 
the fault was in the heavenly body. All this time the ves- 
sels were getting to the southward, steering, in fact, west- 
and-by-south, when they thought they were steering west 
— a circumstance that alone prevented Columbus from first 
reaching the coast of Georgia, or that of the Carolinas, 
since, had he missed the Bermudas, the current of the 
Gulf Stream meeting him on his weather bow, he would 
have infallibly been set well to the northward, as he neared 
the continent. 

The night passed as usual, and at noon of the 17th, or at 
the termination of the nautical day, the fleet had left 
another long track of ocean between it and the old world. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


2 S7 


The weeds were disappearing, and with them the tunny- 
fish, which were, in truth, feeding on the products of 
shoals that mounted several thousands of feet nearer to the 
surface of the water than was the case with the general 
bed of the Atlantic. The vessels usually kept near each 
other at noon, in order to compare their observations ; but 
the Pinta, which, like a swift steed, was with difficulty re- 
strained, shot ahead, until the middle of the afternoon, 
when, as usual, she lay-by for the admiral to close. As the 
Santa Maria came sweeping on, the elder Pinzon stood, 
cap in hand, ready to speak her, waiting only for her to 
come within sound of his voice. 

“ God increaseth the signs of land and the motives of 
encouragement, Senor Don Christopher,” he called out, 
cheerfully, while the Pinta filled her sails in order to keep 
way with the admiral. “We have seen large flights of 
birds ahead, and the clouds of the north look heavy and 
dense, as if hovering over some island or continent in that 
quarter.” 

“ Thou art a welcome messenger, worthy Martin Alonzo ; 
though I wish thee to remember, that the most I expect to 
meet with in this longitude is some cluster of pleasant 
islands, Asia being yet several days’ sail more distant. As 
the night approacheth thou wilt see thy clouds take still 
more of the form of the land, and I doubt that groups may 
be found on each side of us ; but our high destination is 
Cathay, and men with such an object before them may 
not turn aside for any lesser errand.” 

“ Have I your leave, noble admiral, to push ahead in 
the Pinta, that our eyes may first be greeted with the 
grateful sight of Asia ? I nothing doubt of seeing it ere 
morning.” 

“ Go, of God’s sake, good pilot, if thou thinkest this ; 
though I warn thee that no continent can yet meet thine 
eyes. Nevertheless, as any land in these distant and un- 
known seas must be a discovery and bring credit on Cas- 
tile, as well as on ourselves, he who first perceiveth it will 
merit the reward. Thou, or any one else, hath my full 
permission to discover islands or continents in thousands.” 

The people laughed at this sally, for the light-hearted are 
easily excited to mirth ; and then the Pinta shot ahead. As 
the sun set, she was seen again lying-to for her companions, 
a dark speck on the rainbow colors of the glorious sky. 
The horizon at the north presented masses of clouds, in 
which it was not difficult to fancy the summits of ragged 

17 


25S 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


mountains, receding valleys, with headlands, and promon- 
tories, foreshortened by distance. 

The following day the wind baffled, for the first time 
since encountering the trades ; and the clouds collected 
over-head, dispersing drizzling showers on the navigators. 
The vessels now lay near each other, and conversation flew 
from one to the other — boats passing and repassing con- 
stantly. 

“ I have come, Senor Almirante,” said the elder Pinzon, 
as he reached the deck of the Santa Maria, “at the united 
request of my people, to beg that we may steer to the north, 
in quest of land, islands, and continent that no doubt lie 
there, and thus crown this great enterprise with the glory 
that is due to our illustrious sovereigns and your own fore- 
thought.” 

“ The wish is just, good Martin Alonzo, and fairly ex- 
pressed, but it may not be granted. That we should 
make creditable discoveries, by thus steering, is highly 
probable, but in so doing we should fall far short of our 
aim. Cathay and the Great Khan still lie west ; and we are 
here, not to add another group, like the Canaries, or the 
Azores, to the knowledge of man, but to complete the circle 
of the earth, and to open the way for the setting up of the 
cross in the regions that have so long been the property of 
infidels.” 

“ Hast thou nothing to say, Senor de Mufios, in support 
of our petition ? Thou hast favor with his Excellency, and 
may prevail on him to grant us this small behest ! ” 

“To tell thee the truth, good Martin Alonzo,” answered 
Luis, with more of the indifference of manner that might 
have been expected from the grandee to the pilot, than the 
respect that would become the secretary to the second per- 
son of the expedition — “to tell thee the truth, good Martin 
Alonzo, my heart is so set on the bonversion of the Great 
Khan that I wish not to turn either to the right or left, 
until that glorious achievement be sufficiently secure. I 
have observed that Satan effecteth little against those who 
keep in the direct path, while his success with those who 
turn aside is so material as to people his dominions with 
errants.” 

“ Is there no hope, noble admiral ? and must we quit all 
these cheering signs without endeavoring to trace them to 
some advantageous conclusion ?” 

“ I see no better course, worthy friend. This rain indi- 
cateth land ; also this calm ; and here is a visitor that de*- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


259 


noteth more than either — yonder, in the direction of thy 
Pinta, where it seemeth disposed to rest its wings.” 

Pinzon, and all near him, turned, and, to their common 
delight and astonishment, they saw a pelican, with ex- 
tended wings that spread for ten feet, sailing a few fathoms 
above the sea, and apparently aiming at the vessel named. 
The adventurous bird, however, as if disdaining to visit 
one of inferior rank, passed the Pinta, and, sweeping up 
grandly toward the admiral, alighted on a yard of the Santa 
Maria. 

“ If this be not a certain sign of the vicinity of land,” 
said Columbus gravely, “ it is what is far better — a sure 
omen that God is with us. He is sending these encour- 
aging calls to confirm us in our intention to serve him, 
and to persevere to the end. Never before, Martin Alonzo, 
have I seen a bird of this species a day’s sail from the 
shore ! ” 

“ Such is my experience, too, noble admiral ; and, with 
you, I look upon this visit as a most propitious omen. 
May it not be a hint to turn aside, and to look further in 
this quarter ? ” 

“ I accept it not as such, but rather as a motive to pro- 
ceed. At our return from the Indies we may examine this 
part of the ocean with greater security, though I shall 
think naught accomplished until India be faily reached, 
and India is still hundreds of leagues distant. As the time 
is favorable, however, we will call together our pilots, and 
see how each man placeth his vessel on the chart.” 

At this suggestion all the navigators assembled on board 
the Santa Maria, and each man made his calculations, 
sticking a pin in the rude chart — rude as to accuracy, but 
beautiful as to execution — that the admiral, with the lights 
he then possessed, had made of the Atlantic Ocean. Vi- 
cente Yanez, and his companions of the Nina, placed their 
pin most in advance, after measuring off four hundred and 
forty marine leagues from Gomera. Martin Alonzo varied 
a little from this, setting his pin some twenty leagues far- 
ther east. When it was the turn of Columbus he stuck a 
pin twenty leagues still short of that of Martin Alonzo, 
his companions having, to all appearance, like less skilful 
calculators, thus much advanced ahead of their true dis- 
tance. It was then determined what was to be stated to 
the crews, and the pilots returned to their respective ves- 
sels. 

It would seem that Columbus really believed he was 


26 o 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


then passing between islands, and his historian, Las Casas^ 
affirms that he was actually right in his conjecture ; but if 
islands ever existed in that part of the ocean, they have 
long since disappeared ; a phenomenon which, while it is 
not impossible, can scarcely be deemed probable. It is 
said that breakers have been seen, even within the present 
century, in this vicinity, and it is not unlikely that exten- 
sive banks do exist, though Columbus found no bottom 
with two hundred fathoms of line. The great collection 
of weeds is a fact authenticated by some of the oldest 
records of human investigations, and is most probably 
owing to some effect of the currents, which has a tendency 
to bring about such an end ; while the birds must be con- 
sidered as stragglers lured from their usual haunts by the 
food that would be apt to be collected by the union of 
weeds and fish. Aquatic birds can always rest on the 
water, and the animal that can wing its way through the 
air at the rate of thirty, or even fifty miles the hour, needs 
only sufficient strength to cross the entire Atlantic in four 
days and nights. 

Notwithstanding all these cheering signs the different 
crews soon began to feel the weight of a renewed despond- 
ency. Sancho, who was in constant but secret communi- 
cation with the admiral, kept the latter properly advised 
of the state of the people, and reported that more mur- 
murs than usual prevailed, the men having passed again, 
by the suddenness of the reaction, from the most elastic 
hope nearly to the verge of despair. This fact was told 
Columbus just at s inset on the evening of the 20th, or on 
that of the eleventh day after the fleet lost sight of land, 
and while the seaman was affecting to be busy on the poop, 
where he made most of his communications. 

“ They complain, your Excellency,” continued Sancho, 
“of the smoothness of the water ; and they say that when 
the winds blow at all, in these seas, they come only from 
the eastward, having no power to blow from any other 
quarter. The calms, they think, prove that we are getting 
into a part of the ocean where there is no wind ; and the 
east winds, they fancy, are sent by Providence to drive 
those there who have displeased Heaven by a curiosity 
that it was never intended that any who wear beards should 
possess.” 

“Do thou encourage them, Sancho, by reminding the 
poor fellows that calms prevail, at times, in all seas ; and, 
as for the east winds, is it not well known that they blow 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


261 


from off the African shores, in low latitudes, at all seasons 
of the year, following the sun in his daily track around the 
earth ? I trust thou hast none of this silly apprehension ? ” 

“ I endeavor to keep a stout heart, Senor Don Almirante, 
having no one before me to disgrace, and leaving no one 
behind me to mourn over my loss. Still, I should like to 
hear a little about the riches of those distant lands, as I 
find the thoughts of their gold and precious stones have a 
sort of religious charm over my weakness, when I begin 
to muse upon Moguer and its good cheer.” 

“ Go to, knave ; thy appetite for money is insatiable ; 
take yet another dobla, and as thou gazest on it thou mayst 
fancy what thou wilt of the coin of the Great Khan ; rest- 
ing certain that so great a monarch is not without gold, 
any more than he is probably without the disposition to 
part with it, when there is occasion.” 

Sancho received his fee, and left the poop to Columbus 
and our hero. 

“ These ups and downs among the knaves,” said Luis, 
impatiently, “ were best quelled, Senor, by an application 
of the flat of the sword, or, at need, of its edge.” 

“ This may not be, my young friend, without, at least, 
far more occasion than yet existeth for the severity. Think 
not that I have passed so many years of my life in solicit- 
ing the means to effect so great a purpose, and have got 
thus far on my way, in unknown seas, with a disposition to 
be easily turned aside from my purpose. But God hath 
not created all alike ; neither hath he afforded equal chances 
for knowledge to the peasant and the noble. I have vexed 
my spirit too often with arguments on this very subject, 
with the great and learned not to bear a little with the ig- 
norance of the vulgar. Fancy how much fear would have 
quickened the wits of the sages of Salamanca, had our dis- 
cussion been held in the middle of the Atlantic, where man 
never had been, and whence no eyes but those of logic 
and science could discover a safe passage.” 

“This is most true, Sefior Almirante ; and yet, methinks 
the knights that were of your antagonists should not have 
been wholly unmanned by fear. What danger have we 
here ? this is the wide ocean, it is true, and we are no doubt 
distant some hundreds of leagues from the known islands, 
but we are not the less safe. By San Pedro ! I have seen 
more lives lost in a single onset of the Moors than these 
caravels could hold in bodies, and blood enough spilt to 
float them!” 


262 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ The dangers our people dread may be less turbulent 
than those of a Moorish fray, Don Luis, but they are not 
the less terrible. Where is the spring that is to furnish 
water to the parched lip when our stores shall fail ; and 
where the field to give us its bread and nourishment ? It 
is a fearful thing to be brought down to the dregs of life, 
by the failure of food and water, on the surface of the wide 
ocean, dying by inches, often without the consolations of 
the Church, and ever without Christian sepulture. These 
are the fancies of the seaman, and he is only to be driven 
from them violently when duty demands extreme remedies 
for his disease.” 

“ To me it seemeth, Don Christopher, that it will be time 
to reason thus when our casks are drained and the last 
biscuit is broken. Until then I ask leave of your Excel- 
lency to apply the necessary logic, to the outside of the 
heads of these varlets, instead of their insides, of w r hich I 
much question the capacity to hold any good.” 

Columbus too well understood the hot nature of the 
young noble to make a serious reply ; and they both stood 
some time leaning against the mizzen-mast, watching the 
scene before them, and musing on the chances of their 
situation. It was night, and the figures of the watch, on 
the deck beneath, were visible only by a light that ren- 
dered it difficult to distinguish countenances. The men 
were grouped ; and it was evident by the low but eager 
tones in which they conversed, that they discussed matters 
connected with the calm, and the risks they rah. The out- 
lines of the Pinta and Nina were visible, beneath a firma- 
ment that was studded with brilliants, their lazy sails hang- 
ing in festoons, like the drapery of curtains, and their 
black hulls were as stationary as if they both lay moored 
in one of the rivers of Spain. It was a bland and gentle 
night, but the immensity of the solitude, the deep calm of 
the slumbering ocean, and even the occasional creaking of a 
spar, by recalling to the mind the actual presence of vessels 
so situated, rendered the scene solemn, almost to sublimity. 

“ Dost thou detect aught fluttering in the rigging, Luis?” 
the admiral cautiously inquired. “My ear deceiveth me, 
or I hear something on the wing. The sounds, moreover, 
are quick and slight, like those produced by birds of indif- 
ferent size.” 

“ Don Christopher, you are right. -There are little creat- 
ures perched on the upper yards, and that of a size like the 
smaller songsters of the land.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


263 


“ Hark ! ” interrupted the admiral. “ That is a joyous 
note, and of such a melody as might be met in one of the 
orange groves of Seville, itself ! God be praised for this 
sign of the extent and unity of his kingdom, since land 
cannot well be distant, when creatures, gentle and frail as 
these, have so lately taken their flight from it ! ” 

The presence of these birds soon became known to all 
on deck, and their songs brought more comfort than the 
most able mathematical demonstration, even though found- 
ed on modern learning, could have produced on the sensi- 
tive feelings of the commen men. 

“ I told thee land was near,” cried Sancho, turning with 
exultation to Martin Martinez, his constant disputant ; 
“here thou hast the proof of it, in a manner that none but 
the traitor will deny. Thou hearest the songs of orchard 
birds — -notes that would never come from the throats of 
the tired ; and which sound as gayly as if the dear little 
feathered rogues were pecking at a fig or a grape in a field 
of Spain.” 

“ Sancho is right ! ” exclaimed the seamen. “ The air 
savors of land, too ; and the sea hath a look of the land ; 
and God is with us — blessed be his Holy name — and honor 
to our lord the king, and to our gracious mistress, Dona 
Isabella ! ” 

From this moment concern seemed to leave the vessel, 
again. It was thought, even by the admiral himself, that 
the presence of birds so small, and which were judged to 
be so feeble of wing, was an unerring evidence that land 
was nigh ; and land, too, of generous productions, and a 
mild, gentle climate ; for these warblers, like the softer 
sex of the human family, best love scenes that most favor 
their gentle propensities and delicate habits. 

Investigation has since proved that, in this particular, 
however plausible the grounds of error, Columbus was de- 
ceived. Men often mistake the powers of the inferior ani- 
mals of creation, and at other times they overrate the 
extent of their instinct. In point of fact, a bird of light 
weight would be less liable to perish on the ocean, and in 
that low latitude, than a bird of more size, neither being 
aquatic. The sea-weed itself would furnish resting-places 
without number for the smaller animals, and, in some in- 
stances, it would probably furnish food. That birds, purely 
of the land, should take long flights at sea, is certainly im- 
probable ; but, apart from the consequence of gales, which 
often force even that heavy-winged animal, the owl, hun- 


264 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


dreds of miles from the land, instinct is not infallible, 
whales being frequently found embayed in shallow waters, 
and birds sailing beyond the just limits of their habits. 
Whatever may have been the cause of the opportune ap- 
pearance of these little inhabitants of the orchard on the 
spars of the Santa Maria, the effect was of the most auspi- 
cious kind on the spirits of the men. As long as they 
sang no amateurs ever listened to the most brilliant pas- 
sages from the orchestra with greater delight than those 
rude seamen listened to their warbling ; and while they 
slept it was with a security that had its existence in ven- 
eration and gratitude. The songs were renewed with the 
dawn, shortly after which the whole went off in a body, 
taking their flight toward the southwest. The next day 
brought a calm, and then an air so light that the vessels 
could with difficulty make their way through the dense 
masses of weeds, that actually gave the ocean the appear- 
ance of vast inundated meadows. The current was now 
found to be from the west, and shortly after daylight a new 
source of alarm was reported by Sancho. 

“ The people have got a notion in their heads, Senor 
Almirante, which partaketh so much of the marvellous, 
that it findeth exceeding favor with such as love miracles 
more than they love God. Martin Martinez, who is a 
philosopher in the way of terror, maintaineth that this sea, 
into which we seem to be entering deeper and deeper, lieth 
over sunken islands, and that the weeds, which it would be 
idle to deny grow more abundant as we proceed, will shortly 
get to be so plentiful on the surface of the water, that the 
caravels will become unable to advance or to retreat.” 

“Doth Martin find any to believe this silly notion ? ” 

“SeiTor Don Almirante, he doth ; and for the plain rea- 
son that it is easier to find those who are ready to believe 
an absurdity, than to find those who will only believe truth. 
But the man is backed by some unlucky chances, that 
must come of the Powers of Darkness, more particularly 
as they can have no great wish to see your Excellency 
reach Cathay, with the intention of making a Christian of 
the Great Khan, and of planting the tree of the cross in 
his dominions. Tiiis calm sorely troubleth many, more- 
over, and the birds are beginning to be looked upon as 
creatures sent by Satan himself to lead us whither we can 
never return. Some even believe we shall tread on shoals, 
and lie forever stranded wrecks in the midst of the wide 
ocean ! ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


265 


“ Go, bid the men prepare to sound ; I will show them 
the folly of this idea, at least ; and see that all are sum- 
moned to witness the experiment.” 

Columbus now repeated this order to the pilots, and the 
deep-sea was let go in the usual manner. Fathom after 
fathom of the line glided over the rail, the lead taking its 
unerring way toward the bottom, until so little was left as 
to compel the downward course to be arrested. 

“Ye see, my friends, that we are yet full two hundred 
fathoms from the shoals ye so mych dread, and as much 
more as the sea is deeper than our measurement. Lo ! 
yonder, too, is a whale, spouting the water before him — a 
creature never seen except on the coasts of large islands 
or continents.” 

This appeal of Columbus, which was in conformity with 
the notions of the day, had its weight — his crew being 
naturally most under the influence of notions that were 
popular. It is now known, however, that whales frequent 
those parts of the ocean where their food is most abun- 
dant, and one of the best gronnds for taking them, of late 
years, has been what is called the False Brazil Banks, 
which lie near the centre of the ocean. In a word, all 
those signs, that were connected with the movements of 
birds and fishes, and which appear to have had so much 
effect, not only on the common men of this great enter- 
prise, but on Columbus himself, were of far less real im- 
portance than was then believed ; navigators being so lit- 
tle accustomed to venture far from the land themselves, 
that they were not duly acquainted with the mysteries of 
the open ocean. 

Notwithstanding the moments of cheerfulness and hope 
that intervened, distrust and apprehension were fast get- 
ting to be again the prevailing feelings among the mariners. 
Those who had been most disaffected from the first seized 
every occasion to increase these apprehensions ; and when 
the sun rose, Saturday, September 2 2d, on a calm sea, 
there were not a few in the vessels who were disposed to 
unite in making another demand on the admiral to turn 
the heads of the caravels toward the east. 

“ We have come some hundreds of leagues before a fair 
wind, into a sea that is entirely unknown to man, until we 
have reached a part of the ocean where the wind seems al- 
together to fail us, and where there is danger of our being 
bound up in immovable weeds, or stranded on sunken 
islands, without the means of procuring food or water ! ” 


266 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Arguments like these were suited to an age in which 
«ven the most learned were obliged to grope their way to 
accurate knowledge through the mists of superstition 
and ignorance, and in which it was a prevailing weakness 
to put faith, on the one hand, in visible proofs of the mi- 
raculous power of God, and, on the other, in substantial 
evidences of the ascendancy of evil spirits, as they were 
permitted to affect the temporal affairs of those they per- 
secuted. 

It was, therefore, most fortunate for the success of the 
expedition that a light breeze sprang up from southward 
and westward, in the early part of the day just mentioned, 
enabling the vessels to gather way, and to move beyond 
the vast fields of weeds that equally obstructed the prog- 
ress of the caravels and awakened the fears of their peo- 
ple. As it was an object to get clear of the floating ob- 
stacles that surrounded the vessels, the first large opening 
that offered was entered, and then the fleet was brought 
close upon a wind, heading as near as possible to the de- 
sired course. Columbus now believed himself to be steer- 
ing west-north-west, when, in fact, he was sailing in a 
direction far nearer to his true course than when his ships 
headed west by compass ; the departure from the desired 
line of sailing being owing to the variation in the needle. 
This circumstance alone would seem to establish the fact 
that Columbus believed in his own theory of the moving 
star, since he would hardly have steered west-andrby-south- 
half-south, with a fair wind, for many days in succession, 
as he is known to have done, when it was his strongest 
wish to proceed directly west. He was now heading up, 
within half a point of the latter course, though he and all 
with him, fancied they were running off nearly two points 
to leeward of the so much desired direction. 

But these little variations were trifles as compared with 
the advantage that the admiral obtained over the fears of 
his followers by the shift of the wind and the liberation 
from the weeds. By the first the men saw a proof that 
the breezes did not always blow from the same quarter ; 
and by the last they ascertained that they had not actually 
reached a point where the ocean had become impassable. 
Although the wind was now favorable to return to the 
Canaries, no one any longer demanded that such a course 
should be adopted, so apt are we all to desire that which 
appears to be denied to us, and so ready to despise that 
which lies perfectly at our disposal. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


267 


This, indeed, was a moment when the feelings of the 
people appeared to be as variable as the light and baffling 
winds themselves. The Saturday passed away in the man- 
ner just mentioned, the vessels once more entering into 
large fields of weeds, just as the sun set. When the light 
returned, the airs headed them off to northwest and north- 
west-by-north, by compass, which was, in truth, steering 
northwest-by - west - half - west, and northwest - half - west. 
Birds abounded again, among which was a turtle-dove, 
and many living crabs were seen crawling among the weeds. 
All these signs would have encouraged the common men, 
had they not already so often proved deceptive. 

“ Senor,” said Martin Martinez to the admiral, when 
Columbus went among the crew to raise* their drooping 
spirits, “ we know not what to think! For days did the 
w r ind blow in the same direction, leading us on, as it might 
be, to our ruin ; and then it hath deserted us in such a sea 
as mariners in the Santa Maria never before saw. A sea, 
looking like meadows on a river side, and which wanteth 
only kine and cow-herds, to be mistaken for fields a little 
overflowed by a rise of the water, is a fearful thing ! ” 

“ Thy meadows are the weeds of the ocean, and prove 
the richness of the nature that hath produced them ; while 
thy breezes from the east are what all who have ever 
made the Guinea voyage well know to exist in latitudes 
so low. I see naught in either to alarn^ a bold seaman ; 
and as for the bottom, we all know it hath not yet been 
found by many a long and weary fathom of line. Pepe, 
thou hast none of these weaknesses, but hast set thy 
heart on Cathay and a sight of the Great Khan ? ” 

“ Senor Almirante, as I swore to Monica, so do I swear 
to your Excellency ; and that is to be true and obedient. 
If the cross is to be raised -among the Infidels, my hand 
shall not be backward in doing its share toward the holy 
act. Still, Senor, none of us like this long unnatural calm. 
Here is an ocean that hath no waves, but a surface so 
smooth that we much distrust whether the waters obey the 
same laws, as they are known to do near Spain ; for never 
before have I beheld a sea that hath so much the air of 
the dead ! May it not be, Senor, that God had placed a 
belt of this calm and stagnant water around the outer edges 
of the earth, in order to prevent the unheedy from looking 
into some of his sacred secrets ? ” 

“Thy reasoning hath at least a savor of religion ; and, 
though faulty, can scarce be condemned. God hath 


268 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


placed man on this earth, Pepe, to be its master, and to 
serve him by extending the dominion of his Church, as 
well as by turning to the best account all the numberless 
blessings that accompany the great gift. As to the limits 
of which thou speakest, they exist only in idea, the earth 
being a sphere, or a ball, to which there are no other edges 
than those thou seest everywhere on its surface/’ 

“ And as for what Martin saith,” put in Sancho, who was 
never at fault for a fact, or for a reason, “concerning the 
winds, and the weeds, and the calms, I can only wonder 
where a seaman of his years hath been navigating so long 
that these things should be novelties. To me all this is as 
common as dish-water at Moguer, and so much a matter 
of course that f should not have remarked it, but for the 
whinings of Martin and his fellows. When the Santa Cat- 
alina made the voyage to that far-off region, Ireland, we 
landed on the sea-weed, a distance of half a league or so 
from the coast ; and as for the wind, it blew regularly four 
weeks from one quarter and four weeks from the other ; 
after which the people of the country said it would blow 
four weeks each way, transversely ; but we did not remain 
long enough in those seas to enable me to swear to the 
two last facts.” 

“ Hast thou not heard of shoals so wade that a caravel 
could never find its way out of them, if it once entered ? ” 
demanded Martinez, fiercely, for, much addicted to gross 
exaggerations himself, he little liked to be outdone ; “and 
do not these weeds bespeak our near approach to such a 
danger when the weeds themselves often are so closely 
packed as to come near to stop the ship ? ” 

“ Enough of this,” said the admiral ; “ at times we have 
weeds, and then w T e are altogether free from them ; these 
changes are owing to the currents ; no doubt as soon as 
we have passed this meridian we shall come to clear water 
. again.” 

“ But the calm, Sefior Almirante,” exclaimed a dozen 
voices. “ This unnatural smoothness of the ocean fright- 
eneth us ! Never before did we see water so stagnant and 
immovable ! ” 

“ Call ye this stagnant and immovable ? ” exclaimed the 
admiral. “ Nature herself arises to reproach your senseless 
fears, and to contradict your mistaken reasoning by her 
own signs and portents ! ” 

This was said as the Santa Maria’s bows rose on a long 
low swell, every spar creaking at the motion, and the whole 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


269 


hull heaving and setting as the billow passed beneath it, 
washing the sides of the ship from the water-line to its 
channels. At this moment there was not even a breath of 
air, and the seamen gazed about them with an anstonish- 
ment that was increased and rendered extreme by dread. 
The ship had scarcely settled heavily into the long trough 
when a second wave lifted her again forward, and billow 
succeeded billow, each successive wave increasing in 
height, until the entire ocean was undulating, though only 
marked at distant intervals, and that slightly, by the foam 
of crests or combing seas. It took half an hour to bring 
this phenomenon to its height, when all three vessels were 
wallowing in the seas, as mariners term it, their hulls fall- 
ing off helplessly into the troughs, until the water fairly 
spouted from their low scuppers, as each rose by her 
buoyancy from some roll deeper than common. Fancying 
that this occurrence promised to be either a source of new 
alarm, or a means of appeasing the old one, Columbus 
took early measures to turn it to account in the latter 
mode. Causing all the crew to assemble at the break of 
the poop, he addressed them, briefly, in the following 
words : 

“Ye see, men, that your late fears about the stagnant 
ocean are rebuked in thi^ sudden manner, as it might be, 
by the hand of God himself, proving, beyond dispute, that 
no danger is to be apprehended from that source. I 
might impose on your ignorance, and insist that this sud- 
den rising of the sea is a miracle wrought to sustain me 
against your rebellious repinings and unthinking alarms ; 
but the cause in which I am engaged needs no support of 
this nature, that doth not truly come from heaven. The 
calms, and the smoothness of the water, and even the weeds 
of which ye complain, come from the vicinity of some 
great body of land ; I think not a continent, as that must 
lie still further west, but of islands, either so large or so 
numerous, as to make a far-extended lee ; while these 
swells are probably the evidence of wind at a distance, 
which hath driven up the ocean into mountainous waves, 
such as we often see them, and which send out their dying 
efforts, even beyond the limits of the gale. I do not say 
that this intervention, to appease your fears, doth not come 
of God, in whose hands I am ; for this last do I fully be- 
lieve, and for it am I fully grateful ; but it cometh through 
the agencies of nature, and can in no sense be deemed 
providential, except as it demonstrateth the continuance 


270 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


of the divine care, as well as its surpassing goodness. Go, 
then, and be tranquil. Remember, if Spain be far behind 
ye, that Cathay now lieth at no great distance before ye ; 
that each hour shorteneth that distance, as well as the 
time necessary to reach our goal. He that remaineth true 
and faithful shall not repent his confidence ; while he who 
unnecessarily disturbeth either himself or others with silly 
doubts may look forward to an exercise of authority that 
shall maintain the rights of their Highnesses to the duty 
of all their servants.” 

We record this speech of the great navigator with so 
much the more pleasure, as it goes fully to establish the 
fact that he did not believe the sudden rising of the seas 
on this occasion was owing to a direct miracle, as some of 
the historians and biographers seem inclined to believe ; 
but rather to a providential interference of Divine Power, 
through natural means, in order to protect him against the 
consequences of the blind apprehensions of his followers. 
It is not easy, indeed, to suppose that a seaman as experi- 
enced as Columbus, could be ignorant of the natural 
cause of a circumstance so very common on the ocean, 
that those who dwell on its coast have frequent occasion 
to witness its occurrence. 


CHAPTER XX. 

li * Ora pro nobis , Mater / ’ what a spell 

Was in those notes, with day’s last glory dying 
On the flush’d waters — seemed they not to swell 
From the far dust, wherein my sires were lying 
With crucifix and sword ? Oh ! yet how clear 
Comes their reproachful sweetness to my ear ! 

‘ Ora ’ — with all the purple waves replying, 

All my youth’s visions rising in the strain — 

And I had thought it much to bear the rack and chain ! ” 

— The Forest Sanctuary. 

It may now be well to recapitulate, and to let the reader 
distinctly know how far the adventurers had actually ad- 
vanced into the unknown waters of the Atlantic ; what 
was their real and what their supposed position. As has 
been seen, from the time of quitting Gomera, the admiral 
kept two reckonings, one intended for his own govern- 
ment, which came as near the truth as the imperfect means 
of the science of navigation that were then in use would 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


271 


allow, and another that was freely exhibited to the crew, 
and was purposely miscalculated in order to prevent 
alarm, on account of the distance that had been passed. 
As Columbus believed himself to be employed in the 
service of God, this act of deception would be thought 
a species of pious fraud in that devout age ; and it is 
by no means probable that it gave the conscience of the- 
navigator any trouble, since churchmen even did not 
hesitate always about buttressing the walls of faith by 
means still less justifiable. 

The long calms and light head-winds had prevented the 
vessels from making much progress for the few last days ; 
and, by estimating the distance that was subsequently run 
in a course but a little south of west, it appears, notwith- 
standing all the encouraging signs of birds, fishes, calms, 
and smooth water, that on the morning of Monday, Sep- 
tember 24th, or that of the fifteenth day after losing sight 
of Ferro, the expedition was about half-way across the At- 
lantic, counting from continent to continent, on the parallel 
of about thirty-one or thirty-two degrees of north latitude. 
The circumstance of the vessels being so far north of the 
Canaries, when it is known that they had been running 
most of the time west, a little southerly, must be imputed 
to the course steered in the scant winds, and perhaps to 
the general set of the currents. With this brief explana- 
tion we return to the daily progress of the ships. 

The influence of the trades was once more felt, though 
in a very slight degree, in the course of the twenty-four 
hours that succeeded the day of the “miraculous seas,” 
and the vessels again headed west by compass. Birds 
were seen as usual, among which was a pelican. The 
whole progress of the vessels was less than fifty miles, a 
distance that was lessened, as usual, in the public reckoning. 

The morning of the 25th was calm, but the wind re- 
turned, a steady, gentle breeze from the southeast, when 
the day was far advanced, the caravels passing most of the 
hours of light floating near each other in a lazy indolence, 
or barely stirring the water with their stems, at a rate 
little, if any, exceeding that of a mile an hour. 

The Pinta kept near the Santa Maria, and the officers 
and crews of the two vessels conversed freely with each 
other concerning their hopes and situation. Columbus 
listened to these dialogues for a long time, endeavoring to 
collect the predominant feeling from the more guarded 
expressions that were thus publicly delivered, and watch- 


272 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ing each turn of the expressions with jealous vigilance. 
At length it struck him that the occasion was favorable to 
producing a good effect on the spirits of his followers. 

“ What hast thou thought of the chart I sent thee three 
days since, good Martin Alonzo ? ” called out the admiral. 
“ Dost thou see in it aught to satisfy thee that we are 
approaching the Indies, and that our time of trial draweth 
rapidly to an end ? ” 

At the first sound of the admiral’s voice every syllable 
was hushed among the people ; for, in spite of their dis- 
content, and their disposition even to rise against him, in 
their extremity, Columbus had succeeded in creating a 
profound respect for his judgment and his person among 
all his followers. 

“ Tis a rare and well-designed chart, Senor Don Christo- 
pher,” answered'the master of the Pinta, “and doth a fair 
credit to him who hath copied and enlarged, as well as to 
him who first projected it. I doubt that it is the work of 
some learned scholar, that hath united the opinions of all 
the greater navigators in his map.” 

“ The original came from one Paul Toscanelli, a learned 
Tuscan, who dwelleth at Firenze in that country ; a man 
of exceeding knowledge, and of an industry in investiga- 
tion that putteth idleness to shame. Accompanying the 
chart he sent a missive that hath much profound and 
learned matter on the subject of the Indies, and touching 
those islands that thou seest laid down with so much par- 
ticularity. In that letter he speaketh of divers places as 
being so many wonderful exemplars of the power of man, 
more especially of the port of Zaiton, which sendeth forth 
no less than a hundred ships yearly, loaded with the single 
product of the pepper-tree. He saith, moreover, that an 
ambassador came to the Holy Father, in the time of 
Eugenius IV., of blessed memory, to express the desire of 
the Great Khan, which meaneth King of Kings, in the 
dialect of those regions, to be on friendly terms with the 
Christians of the west, as we were then termed ; but of the 
east, as will shortly be our designation in that part of the 
world.” 

“This is surprising, Senor!” exclaimed Pinzon ; “how 
is it known, or is it known at all, of a certainty ?” 

“ Beyond a question ; since Paul stateth, in his missive, 
that he saw much of this same ambassador, living greatly 
in his society, Eugenius deceasing as lately as 1477. From 
the ambassador, no doubt a wise and grave personage, 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


273 


since no other would have been sent so far on a mission to 
the Head of the Church ; from this discreet person then 
did Toscanelli gain much pleasant information concerning 
the populousness and vast extent of those distant coun- 
tries, the gorgeousness of the palaces, and the glorious 
beauty of the cities. He spoke of one town in particular 
that surpasseth all others of the known world ; and of a 
single river that hath two hundred noble cities on its own 
banks, with marble bridges spanning the stream. The 
chart before thee, Martin Alonzo, showeth that the exact 
distance from Lisbon to the city of Quisay is just three 
thousand nine hundred miles of Italy, or about a thousand 
leagues, steering always in a due-west direction.”* 

“And doth the learned Tuscan say aught of the riches 
of those countries?” demanded Master Alonzo — a ques- 
tion that caused all within hearing to prick up their ears 
afresh. 

“That doth he, and in these precise and impressive 
words : 1 This is a noble country,’ observed the learned 
Paul in his missive, ‘and oug.ht to be explored by us on 
account of its great riches and the quantity of gold, silver, 
and precious stones which might be obtained there.’ He 
moreover described Quisay as being five-and-thirty leagues 
in circuit, and addeth that its name in the Castilian is 
‘the City of Heaven.”' 

“In which case,” muttered Sancho, though in a tone so 
low that no one but Pepe heard him, “ there is little need 
of our bearing thither the cross which was intended for 
the benefit of man and not of paradise.” 

“ I see here two large islands, Senor Almirante,” con- 
tinued Pinzon, keeping his eyes on the chart, “ one of 
which is called Antilla, and the other is the Cipango, of 
which your Excellency so often speaketh.” 

“Even so, good Martin Alonzo, and thou also seest that 
they are laid down with a precision that must prevent any 
experienced navigator from missing his way when in pur- 
suit of them. These islands lie just tvvo hundred and 
twenty-five leagues asunder.” 

“ According to our reckoning here in the Pinta, noble 
Admiral, we cannot, then, be far from Cipango at this 
very moment.” 

“ It would so seem by the reckonings, though I some- 

* Note. — It is worthy of remark that the city of Philadelphia stands, 
as near as may be, in the position that the honest Paul Toscanelli sup* 
posed to have been occupied by “ the famous city of Quisay.” 

18 


274 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


what doubt their justness. It is a common error of pilots 
to run ahead of their reckonings, but in this instance ap- 
prehension hath brought ye behind them. Cipango lieth 
many days’ sails from the continent of Asia, and cannot, 
therefore, be far from this spot ; still the currents have 
been adverse, and I doubt that it will be found that we 
are as near this island, good Martin Alonzo, as thou and 
thy companions imagine. Let the chart be returned, and 
I will trace our actual position on it, that all may see 
what reason there is to despond, and what reason to re- 
joice.” 

Pinzon now took the chart, rolled it together carefully, 
attached a light weight, and securing the whole with the 
end of a log-line, he hove it on board the Santa Maria, 
as a seaman makes a cast with the lead. So near were the 
vessels at the moment that this communication was made 
without any difficulty, after which the Pinta, letting fall 
an additional sail or two, flapped slowly ahead, her supe- 
riority, particularly in light winds, being at all times ap- 
parent. 

Columbus now caused the chart to be spread over a 
table on the poop and invited all who chose to draw near, 
in order that they might with their own eyes see the pre- 
cise spot on the ocean where the admiral supposed the 
vessels to be. As each day’s work was accurately laid 
down and measured on the chart by one as expert as the 
great navigator himself, there is little question that he 
succeeded in showing his people, as near as might be, and 
subject to the deduction in distance that was intentionally 
made, the longitude and latitude to which the expedition 
had then reached ; and as this brought them quite near 
those islands which were believed to lie east of the conti- 
nent of Asia, this tangible proof of their progress had far 
more effect than any demonstration that depended on ab- 
stract reasoning, even when grounded on premises that 
were true, mo§t men submitting sooner to the authority 
of the senses than to the influence of the mere mind. The 
seamen did not stop to inquire how it was settled that 
Cipango lay in the precise place where it had been pro- 
jected on this famous chart, but, seeing it there in black 
and white, they were disposed to believe it was really in 
the spot it appeared to be ; and as Columbus’ reputation 
for keeping a ship’s reckoning far surpassed that of any 
other navigator in the fleet, the facts were held to be estab- 
lished. Great was the joy in consequence, and the minds 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


27S 


of the people again passed from the verge of despair to 
an excess and illusion of hope that was raised only to be 
disappointed. 

That Columbus was sincere in all that related to this 
new delusion, with the exception of the calculated reduc- 
tion of the true distance, is beyond a doubt. In common 
with the cosmographers of the age, he believed the cir- 
cumference of tiie earth much less than actual measure- 
ment has since shown it to be ; striking out of the calcu- 
tion, at once, nearly the whole breadth of the Pacific Ocean. 
That this conclusion was very natural, will be seen by 
glancing at the geographical facts that the learned then 
possessed, as data foe their theories. 

It was known that the continent of Asia was bounded 
on the east by a vast ocean, and that a similar body of 
water bounded Europe on the west, leaving the plausible 
inference, on the supposition that the earth was a sphere, 
that nothing but islands existed between these two great 
boundaries of land. Less than half of the real circum- 
ference of the globe is to be found between the western 
and eastern verges of the old continent, as they were then 
known ; but it was too bold an effort of the mind, to con- 
ceive that startling fact, in the condition of human knowl- 
edge at the close of the fifteenth century. The theories 
were consequently content with drawing the limits of the 
east and the west into a much narrower circle, finding no 
data for any freer speculation ; and believing it a sufficient 
act of boldness to maintain the spherical formation of the 
earth at all. It is true, that the latter theory was as old 
as Ptolemy, and quite probably much older ; but even the 
antiquity of a system begins to be an argument against it, 
in the minds of the vulgar, when centuries elapse, and it 
receives no confirmation from actual experiment. Co- 
lumbus supposed his island of Cipango, or Japan, to lie 
about one hundred and forty degrees of longitude east of 
its actual position ; and, as a degree of longitude in the 
latitude of Japan, or 35 0 north, supposing the surface of 
the earth to be perfectly spherical, is about fifty-six statute 
miles, it follows that Columbus had advanced this island, 
on his chart, more than seven thousand English miles 
toward the eastward, or a distance materially exceeding 
two thousand marine leagues. 

All this, however, was not only hidden in mystery as 
regards the common men of the expedition, but it far 
outstripped the boldest conceptions of the great navigator 


276 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


himself. Facts of this nature, notwithstanding, are far 
from detracting from the glory of the vast discoveries 
that were subsequently made, since they prove under 
what moral disadvantages the expedition was conceived, 
and under what a limited degree of knowledge it finally 
triumphed. 

While Columbus was thus employed with the chart, it 
was a curious thing to witness the manner in which the 
seamen watched his smallest movement, studied the ex- 
pression of his grave and composed countenance, and 
sought to read their fate in the contraction, or dilation, of 
his eyes. The gentlemen of the Santa Maria, and the 
pilots, stood at his elbow, and here and there some old 
mariner ventured to take his post at hand, where he could 
follow the slow progress of the pen, or note the explana- 
tion of a figure. Among these were Sancho, who was 
generally admitted to be one of the most expert seamen in 
the little fleet — in all things, at least, that did not require 
the knowledge of the schools. Columbus even turned to 
these men, and spoke to them kindly, endeavoring to make 
them comprehend a part of their calling, which they saw 
practised daily, without ever succeeding in acquiring a 
practical acquaintance with it, pointing out particularly 
the distance come, and that which yet remained before 
them. Others, again, the less experienced, but not the less 
interested among the crew, hung about the rigging, whence 
they could overlook the scene, and fancy they beheld 
demonstrations that came of theories which it as much 
exceeded their reasoning powers to understand, as it ex- 
ceeded their physical vision to behold the desired Indies 
themselves. As men become intellectual, they entertain 
abstractions, leaving the dominion of the senses to take 
refuge in that of thought. Until this change arrives, how- 
ever, we are all singularly influenced by a parade of posi- 
tive things. Words spoken seldom produce the effect of 
words written ; and the praise or censure that would enter 
lightly and unheeded into the ear, might even change our 
estimates of character, when received into the mind through 
the medium of the eye. Thus, the very seamen, who could 
not comprehend the reasoning of Columbus, fancied they 
understood his chart, and willingly enough believed that 
islands and continents must exist in the precise places where 
they saw them so plainly delineated. 

After this exhibition, cheerfulness resumed its swav over 
the crew of the Santa Maria ; and Sancho, who was gen* 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


*77 


erally considered as of the party of the admiral, was eager- 
ly appealed to by his fellows, for many of the little cir- 
cumstances that were thought to explain the features of 
the chart. 

“ Dost think, Sancho, that Cipango is as large as the ad* 
miral hath got the island on the chart ? ” asked one who 
had passed from the verge of despair to the other extreme ; 
“that it lieth fairly, any eye may see, since its look is as 
natural as that of Ferro or Madeira.” 

“That hath he,” answered Sancho, positively, “as one 
may see by its shape. Didst not notice the capes, and bays, 
and head-lands, all laid down as plainly as on any othel 
well-known coast ? Ah ! these Genoese are skilful navi- 
gators ; and Senor Colon, our noble admiral, hath not 
come all this distance without having some notion in what 
roadstead he is to anchor.” 

In such conclusive arguments, the dullest minds of the 
crew found exceeding consolation ; while among all the 
common people of the ship, there was not one who did not 
feel more confidence in the happy termination of the voy- 
age, since he had this seeming ocular proof of the exist- 
ence of land in the part of the ocean they were in. 

When the discourse between the admiral and Pinzon 
ceased, the latter made sail on the Pinta, which vessel had 
slowly passed the Santa Maria, and was now a hundred 
yards, or more, ahead of her ; neither going through the 
water at a rate exceeding a knot an hour. At the moment 
just mentioned, or while the men were conversing of their 
newly awakened hope, a shout drew all eyes toward their 
consort, where Pinzon was seen on the poop, waving his 
cap in exultation, and giving the usual proofs of extrava- 
gant delight. 

“ Land ! — Land! Senor ! ” he shouted. “ I claim my re- 
ward ! Land ! Land ! ” 

“ In what direction, good Martin Alonzo?” asked Co- 
lumbus, so eagerly that his voice fairly trembled. “ In 
which quarter dost thou perceive this welcome neigh- 
bor ? ” 

“ Here, to the southwest,” pointing in that direction — 
“ a range of dim but noble mountains, and such as promise 
to satisfy the pious longings of the Holy Father himself!” 

Every eye turned toward the southwest, and there, in- 
deed, they fancied they beheld the long-sought proofs of 
their success. A faint, hazy mass was visible in the hori- 
zon, broken in outline, more distinctly marked than clouds 


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MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


usually are, and yet so obscure as to require a practised 
eye to draw it out of the obscurity of the void. This is the 
manner in which land often appears to seamen, in peculiar 
conditions of the atmosphere ; others, under such circum- 
stances, being seldom able to distinguish it at all. Co- 
lumbus was so practised in all the phenomena of the ocean, 
that the face of every man in the Santa Maria was turned 
toward his, in breathless expectation of the result, as soon 
as the first glance had been given toward the point of the 
compass mentioned. It was impossible to mistake the ex- 
pression of the admiral’s countenance, which immediately 
became radiant with delight and pious exultation. Un- 
covering himself, he cast a look upward in unbounded 
gratitude, and then fell on his knees, to return open thanks 
to God. This was the signal of triumph, and yet, in their 
desolate situation, exultation was not the prevalent feeling 
of the moment. Like Columbus, the men felt their abso- 
lute dependence on God ; and a sense of humble and re- 
buked gratitude came over every spirit, as it might be 
simultaneously. Kneeling, the entire crews of the three 
vessels simultaneously commenced the Chant of “ Gloria 
in excelsis Deo ! ” lifting the voice of praise, for the first 
time since the foundations of the earth were laid, in that 
deep solitude of the ocean. Matins and vespers, it is true, 
were then habitually repeated in most Christian ships ; 
but this sublime chant was now uttered to waves that had 
been praising their Maker, in their might and in their 
calm, for so many thousand years, for the first time in the 
voice of man. 

“ Glory be to God on high!” sang these rude mariners, 
with hearts softened by their escapes, dangers, and success, 
speaking as one man, though modulating their tones to the 
solemn harmony of a religious rite — “ and on earth peace , 
good will toward men . We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship 
thee , we glorify thee , we give thanks to thee for thy great glory ! 
O Lord God! Heavenly King ! God the Father Almighty ! ” 
etc., etc. 

In this noble chant, which would seem to approach as 
near to the praises of angels as human powers can ever 
hope to rise, the voice of the admiral was distinct and deep, 
but trembling with emotion. 

When this act of pious gratitude was performed, the 
men ascended the rigging to make more certain of their 
success. All agreed in pronouncing the faintly delineated 
mass to be land, and the first sudden transport of unex- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


279 

pected joy was succeeded by the more regulated feelings 
of confirmed security. The sun set a little north of the 
dim mountains, and night closed around the scene, shad- 
owing the ocean with as much gloom as is ever to be found 
beneath a tropical and cloudless sky. As the first watch 
was set, Columbus, who, whenever the winds would allow, 
had persevered in steering what he fancied to be a due- 
west course, to satisfy the longings of his people, ordered 
the vessels to haul up to .southwest by compass, which was, 
in fact, heading southwest-by-south-southerly. The wind 
increased, and as the admiral had supposed the land to be 
distant about twenty-five leagues when last seen, all in the 
little fleet confidently relied on obtaining a full and com- 
plete view of it in the morning. Columbus himself enter- 
tained this hope, though he varied his course reluctantly, 
feeling certain that the continent would be met by sailing 
west, or what he thought to be west, though he could 
have no similar confidence as to making any island. 

Few slept soundly that night — visions of oriental riches, 
and of the wonders of the East, crowding on the minds of 
even the least imaginative, converting their slumbers into 
dreams rendered uneasy by longings for gold, and antici- 
pations of the wonders of the unknown East. The men 
left their hammocks from hour to hour to stand in the rig- 
ging, watching for some new proofs of their proximity to 
the much-desired islands, and straining their eyes in vain 
in the hope of looking deeper into the obscurity in quest 
of objects that fancy had already begun to invest with 
forms. In the course of the night the vessels ran in a 
direct line toward the southwest, seventeen of the twenty- 
five leagues that Columbus had supposed alone sep- 
arated him from this new discovery ; and just before 
the light dawned, every soul in the three vessels was stir- 
ring, in the eager hope of having the panorama of day 
open on such a sight, as they felt it to be but a slight 
giievance to have come so far, and to have risked so much, 
to behold. 

“ Yonder is a streak of light, glimmering in the east,” 
cried Luis, in a cheerful voice ; “ and now, Senor Al- 
mirante, we may unite in terming you the honored of the 
earth ! ” 

“ All rests with God, my young friend,” returned Co- 
lumbus, “whether land is near us or not, it boundeth the 
western ocean, and to that boundary we must proceed. 
Thou art right, truly, friend Gutierrez ; the light is begin- 


28 o 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ning to shed itself along the eastern margin of the sea, and 
even to rise in an arch into the vault above it.” 

“ Would that the sun rose, for this one day, in the west, 
that we might catch the first glimpse of our new posses- 
sions in that radiant field of heaven, which his coming rays 
are so gloriously illuminating above the track we have just 
passed ! ” 

“ That will not happen, Master Pedro, since Sol hath 
journeyed daily round this planet of ours, from east to 
west, since time began, and will so continue to journey 
until time shall cease. This is a fact on which our senses 
may be trusted, though they mislead us in so many other 
things.” 

So reasoned Columbus, a man whose mind had out- 
stripped the age, in his favorite study, and who was usually 
so calm and philosophical ; simply because he reasoned in 
the fetters of habit and prejudice. The celebrated system 
of Ptolemy, that strange compound of truth and error, was 
the favorite astronomical law of the day. Copernicus, who 
was then but a mere youth, did not reduce the just con- 
ception of Pythagoras — just in outline, though fanciful in 
its connection with both cause and effect — to the precision 
of science for many years after the discovery of America ; 
and it is a strong proof of the dangers which attended the 
advancement of thought, that he was rewarded for this 
vast effort of human reason, by excommunication from the 
church, the maledictions of which actually rested on his 
soul, if not on his body, until within a few years of the 
present moment ! This single circumstance will show the 
reader how much our navigator had to overcome in achiev- 
ing the great office he had assumed. 

But all this time, the day is dawning, and the light is 
beginning to diffuse itself over the entire panorama of 
ocean and sky. As means were afforded, each look eagerly 
took in the whole range of the western horizon, and a chill 
of disappointment settled on every heart, as suspicion 
gradually became confirmation, that no land was visible. 
The vessels had passed, in the night, those bounds of the 
visible horizon, where masses of clouds had settled ; and 
no one could any longer doubt that his senses had been 
deceived by some accidental peculiarity in the atmosphere. 
All eyes now turned again to the admiral, who, while he 
felt the disappointment in his inmost heart, maintained a 
dignified calm that it was not easy to disturb. 

“ These signs are not infrequent at sea, Senor,” he said 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


281 


to those near him, speaking loud enough, nevertheless, to 
be heard by most of the crew, “ thoughWdom as treacher- 
ous as they have now proved to be. All accustomed to 
the ocean have doubtless seen them often ; and as physical 
facts, they must be taken as -counting neither for nor 
against us. As omens, each person will consider them as 
he putteth his trust in God, whose grace and mercy to us 
all, is yet, by a million of times, unrequited, and still would 
be, were we to sing Glory in excelsis , from morn till night, 
as long as breath lasted for the sacred office.” 

“ Still, our hope was so very strong, Don Christopher,” 
observed one of the gentlemen, “ that we find the disap- 
pointment hard to be borne. You speak of omens, Senor, 
are there any physical signs of our being near the land of 
Cathay ? ” 

“ Omens come of God, if they come at all. They are a 
species of miracles preceding natural events, as real mir- 
acles surpass them. I think this expedition cometh of 
God ; and I see no irreverence in supposing that this late 
appearance of land may have been heaped along the hor- 
izon for an encouraging sign to persevere, and as a proof 
that our labors will be rewarded in the end. I cannot say, 
nevertheless, that any but natural means were used, for 
these deceptions are familiar to us mariners.” 

“ I shall endeavor so to consider it, Senor Almirante,” 
gravely returned the other, and the conversation dropped. 

The non-appearance of the land, which had been so con- 
fidently hoped for, produced a deep gloom in the vessels, 
notwithstanding ; again changing the joy of their people 
into despondency. Columbus continued to steer due west 
by compass, or west-by-south-southerly, in reality, until 
meridian, when, yielding to the burning wishes of those 
around him, he again altered his course to the southwest. 
This course was followed until the ships had gone far 
enough in that direction to leave no doubt that the people 
had been misled by clouds, the preceding evening. At 
night, when not the faintest hope remained, the vessels 
kept away due west again, running in the course of the 
twenty-hours, quite thirty-one leagues, which were re- 
corded before the crew as twenty-four. 

For several succeeding days no material changes oc- 
curred. The wind continued favorable, though frequently 
so light as to urge the vessel very slowly ahead, reducing 
the day’s progress sometimes to little more than fifty of 
our English miles. The sea was calm, and weeds were 


282 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


again met, though in much smaller quantities than before. 
September 29th, or the fourth day after Pinzon had called 
out land,” another frigate-bird was seen ; and as it was 
the prevalent notion among seamen that this bird never 
flew far from the shore, some faint hopes were momentarily 
revived by his passage. Two pelicans also appeared, and 
the air was so soft and balmy that Columbus declared 
nothing but nightingales were wanting, to render the 
nights as delicious as those of Andalusia. 

In this manner did birds come and go, exciting hopes 
that were doomed to be disappointed ; sometimes flying in 
numbers that would seem to forbid the idea that they 
could be straying on the waste of waters, without the cer- 
tainty of their position. Again, too, the attention of the 
admiral and of the people, was drawn to the variation of 
the needle, all uniting in the opinion that the phenomenon 
was only to be explained by the movements of the star. 
At length the first day of October arrived, and the pilots 
of the admiral’s vessel seriously set to work to ascertain 
the distance they had come. They had been misled, as 
well as the rest, by the management of Columbus, and 
they now approached the latter, as he stood at his usual 
post on the poop, in order to give the result of their calcu- 
lations, with countenance that were faithful indexes of the 
concern they felt. 

“We are not less than five hundred and seventy-eight 
leagues west of Ferro, Senor Almirante,” commenced one 
of the two ; “a fearful distance to venture into the bosom 
of an unknown ocean ! ” 

“ Thou say’st true, honest Bartolemeo,” returned Colum- 
bus, calmly ; “ though the further we venture, the greater 
will be the honor. Thy reckoning is even short of the 
truth, since this of mine, which is no secret from our peo- 
ple, giveth even five hundred and eighty-four leagues, fully 
six more than thine. But, after all, this scarce equalleth 
a voyage from Lisbon to Guinea, and we are not men to 
be outdone by the seamen of Don John ! ” 

“ Ah ! Senor Almirante, the Portuguese have their 
islands by the way, and the old world at their elbows ; 
while we, should this earth prove not to be really a sphere 
are hourly sailing toward its verge, and are running into 
untried dangers ! ” 

“ Go to, Bartolemeo ! thou talkest like a river-man who 
hath been blown outside his bar by a strong breeze from 
the land, and who fancieth his risks greater than man ever 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


283. 

yet endured, because the water that wetteth his tongue is 
salt. Let the men see this reckoning, fearlessly ; and 
strive to be of cheer, lest we remember thy misgivings be- 
neath the groves of Cathay.” 

“ The man is sorely beset with dread,” coolly observed 
Luis, as the pilots descended from the poop with a linger- 
ing step and a heavy heart. “ Even your six short leagues 
added to the weight on his spirit. Five hundred and 
seventy-eight were frightful, but five hundred and eighty- 
four became burdensome to his soul ! ” 

“What would he then have thought had he known the 
truth, of which, young count, even thou art ignorant ?” 

“ I hope you do not distrust my nerves, Don Christo- 
pher, that this matter is kept a secret from me ? ” 

“ I ought not, I do believe, Sefior de Llera ; and yet one 
gets to be distrustful even of himself, when weighty con- 
cerns hang by a thread. Hast thou any real idea of the 
length of the road we have come ? ” 

“ Not I, by St. Iago ! Senor. It is enough for me that 
we are far from the Dona Mercedes, and a league more or 
less counts but little. Should your theory be true, and the 
earth prove to be round, I have the consolation of know- 
ing that we shall get back to Spain, in time, even by chas- 
ing the sun.” 

“ Still thou hast some general notion of our true distance 
from Ferro, knowing that each day it is lessened before the 
people.” 

“ To tell you the truth, Don Christopher, arithmetic and 
I have little feeling for each other. For the life of me, I 
never could tell the exact amount of my own revenues, 
in figures, though it might not be so difficult to come at 
their results in another sense. If truth were said, how- 
ever, I should think your five hundred and eighty leagues 
might fairly be set down at some six hundred and ten or 
twenty.” 

“ Add yet another hundred and thou wilt not be far from 
the fact. We are', at this moment, seven hundred and seven 
leagues from Ferro, and fast drawing near to the meridian 
of Cipango. In another glorious week, or ten days at 
most, I shall begin seriously to expect to see the continent 
of Asia ! ” 

“ This is travelling faster than I had thought, Sefior,” 
answered Luis, carelessly ; “ but journey on ; one of your 
followers will not complain, though we circle the earth 
itself.” 


284 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


CHAPTER XXI. 

“ Pronounce what sea, what shore is this? 

The gulf, the rock of Salamis ? ” — Byron. 

The adventurers had now been twenty-three days out of 
sight of land, all of which time, with the exception of a few 
very immaterial changes in the wind, and a day or two of 
calms, they had been steadily advancing toward the west, 
with a southern variation that ranged between a fourth of 
a point and a point and a quarter, though the latter fact 
was unknown to them. Their hopes had been so often 
raised to be disappointed, that a sort of settled gloom now 
began to prevail among the common men, which was only 
relieved by irregular and uncertain cries of “land,” as the 
clouds produced their usual deceptions in the horizon. 
Still their feelings were in that feverish state which admits 
of any sudden change ; and as the sea continued smooth as 
a river, the air balmy, and the skies most genial, they were 
prevented from falling into despair. Sancho reasoned, as 
usual, among his fellows, resisting ignorance and folly, 
with impudence and dogmatism ; while Luis unconsciously 
produced an effect on the spirits of his associates by his 
cheerfulness and confidence. Columbus himself remained 
calm, dignified, and reserved, relying on the justice of his 
theories, and continuing resolute to attain his object. The 
wind remained fair, as before, and in the course of the night 
and day of the 2d of October, the vessels sailed more than 
a hundred miles still further into that unknown and mys- 
terious sea. The weeds now drifted westerly, which was a 
material change, the currents previously setting, in the 
main, in an opposite direction. The 3d proved even a still 
more favorable day, the distance made reaching to forty- 
seven leagues. The admiral now began to think seriously 
that he had passed the islands laid down in his chart, and, 
with the high resolution of one sustained by grand con- 
ceptions, he decided to stand on west, with the intention 
of reaching the shores of the Indies, at once. The 4th was 
a better day than either, the little fleet passing steadily 
ahead, without deviating from its course, until it had fairly 
made one hundred and eighty-nine miles, much the great- 
est day’s work it had yet achieved. This distance, so for- 
midable to men who began to count each hour and each 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 2S5 

league with uneasiness, was reckoned to all on board, but 
Luis, as only one hundred and thirty-eight miles. 

Friday, October 5th, commenced even more favorably, 
Columbus finding his ship gliding through the water — there 
being no sea to cause her to reel or stagger — at the rate 
of about eight miles an hour, which was almost as fast as 
she had ever been known to go, and which would have 
caused this day’s work to exceed the last, had not the wind 
failed in the night. As it was, however, fifty-seven more 
leagues were placed between Ferro and the position of 
the vessel ; a distance that was reduced to forty-five, with 
the crew. The following day brought no material change, 
Providence appearing to urge them on fit a speed that 
must soon solve the great problem which the admiral had 
been so long discussing with the learned. It was already 
dark, when the Pinta came sheering down upon the quar- 
ter of the Santa Maria, until she had got so near that her 
commander hailed without the aid of a trumpet. 

“ Is Senor Don Christopher at his post, as usual ? ” 
hurriedly demanded Pinzon, speaking like one who felt 
he had matter of weight upon his mind ; “ I see persons 
on the poop, but know not if his Excellency be among 
them.” 

“ What wouldst thou, good Martin Alonzo?” answered 
the admiral. “ I am here watching for the shores of Cip- 
ango, or Cathay, whichever God, in his goodness, may be 
pleased first to give us.” 

“I see so many reasons, noble admiral, for changingour 
course more to the south, that I could not resist the desire 
to come down and say as much. Most of the late dis- 
coveries have been made in the southern latitudes, and we 
might do well to get more southing.” 

“ Have we gained aught by changing our course in this 
direction ? Thy heart seemeth bent on more southern 
climes, worthy friend ; while to my feelings we are now 
in the very paradise of sweets, land only excepted. Isl- 
ands may lie south, or even north of us ; but a continent 
must lie west. Why abandon a certainty for an uncer- 
tainty ? the greater for the less ? Cipango, or Cathay, for 
some pleasant spot, fragrant with spices no doubt, but 
without a name, and which can never equal the glories 
of Asia, either as a discovery or as a conquest ? ” 

“ I would, Senor, I might prevail on you to steer more 
to the south ! ” 

“ Go to, Martin Alonzo, and forget thy cravings. My 


286 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


heart is in the west, and thither reason teacheth me to fol- 
low it. First hear my orders, and then go seek the Nina, 
that thy brother, the worthy Vicente Yanez, may obey 
them also. Should aught separate us in the night it shall 
be the duty of all to stand manfully toward the west, 
striving to find our company ; for it would be a sad, as 
well as a useless thing, to be wandering alone in this un- 
known ocean.” 

Pinzon, though evidently much displeased was fain to 
obey, and after a short but a sharp and loud altercation 
with the admiral, the commander of the Pinta caused her 
to sheer toward the felucca to execute the order. 

“ Martin Alonzo beginneth to waver,” Columbus ob- 
served to Lui£ “ He is a bold and exceedingly skilful 
mariner, but steadiness of object is not his greatest quality. 
He must be restrained from following the impulses of his 
weakness, by the higher hand of authority. Cathay ! — 
Cathay is my aim 1 ” 

After midnight the wind increased, and for two hours 
the caravels glanced through the smooth ocean at their 
greatest speed, which equalled nine English miles the hour. 
Few now undressed, except to change their clothes ; and 
Columbus slumbered on the poop that night, using an old 
sail for his couch. Luis was his companion, and both 
were up and on the deck with the first appearance of dawn. 
A common feeling seemed to exist among all, that land 
was near, and that a great discovery was about to be made. 
An annuity of ten thousand maravedis had been promised 
by the sovereigns to him who should first descry land, and 
every eye was on the gaze, whenever opportunity per- 
mitted, to gain the prize. 

As the light diffused itself downward toward the margin 
of the ocean, in the western horizon, all thought there 
was the appearance of land, and sail was eagerly crowded 
on the different vessels, in order to press forward as fast as 
possible, that their respective crews might enjoy the earli- 
est and the best chances of obtaining the first view. In 
this respect circumstances singularly balanced the advan- 
tages and disadvantages between the competitors. The 
Nina was the fastest vessel in light airs and smooth 
water, but she was also the smallest. The Pinta came 
next in general speed, holding a middle place in size, and 
beating her consorts with a fresh breeze ; while the Santa 
Maria, the last in point of sailing, had the highest masts 
and consequently swept the widest range of horizon. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


287 


“There is a good feeling uppermost to-day, Sefior Don 
Christopher,” said Luis, as he stood at the admiral’s side, 
watching the advance of the light ; “and if eyes can do it, 
we may hope for the discovery of land. The late run hath 
awakened all our hopes, and land we must have, even if 
we raise it from the bottom of the ocean.” 

“ Yonder is Pepe, the dutiful husband of Monica, perched 
on our highest yard, straining his eyes toward the west, :n 
the hope of gaining the reward ! ” said Columbus, smiling. 
“ Ten thousand maravedis, yearly, would, in sooth, be 
some atonement to carry back to the grieved mother and 
the deserted boy ! ” 

“ Martin Alonzo is in earnest, also, Sefior. See how he 
presseth forward in the Pinta ; but Vicente Yafiez hath 
the heels of him, and is determined to make his salutations 
first to the Great Khan, neglectful of the elder brother’s 
rights.” 

“ Sefior ! — Sefiores ! ” shouted Sancho from the spar on 
which he was seated as composedly as a modern lady 
would recline on her ottoman — “ the felucca is speaking 
in signals.” 

“ This is true,” cried Columbus— “ Vicente Yafiez show- 
eth the colors of the queen, and there goeth a lombarda 
to announce some great event ! ” 

As these were the signals directed in the event that 
either vessel should discover land before her consorts, 
little doubt was entertained that the leading caravel had, 
at last, really announced the final success of the expe- 
dition. Still the recent and grave disappointment was 
remembered, and, though all devoutly poured out their 
gratitude in mental offerings, their lips were sealed until 
the result should show the truth. Every rag of canvas was 
set, however, and the vessels seemed to hasten their speed 
toward the west, like birds tired with an unusual flight, 
which make new efforts with their wearied wings as the 
prospect of alighting suddenly breaks on their keen vision 
and active instincts. 

Hour passed after hour, however, and brought no con- 
firmation of the blessed tidings. The western horizon 
looked heavy and clouded throughout the morning, it is 
true, often deceiving even the most practised eyes ; but as 
the day advanced, and the vessels had passed more than 
fifty miles further toward the west, it became impossible 
to ascribe the hopes of the morning to another optical 
illusion. The depression of spirits that succeeded this 


288 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


new disappointment was greater than any that had before 
existed, and the murmurs that arose were neither equivo- 
cal nor suppressed. It was urged that some malign influ- 
ence was leading the adventurers on, finally to abandon 
them to despair and destruction, in a wilderness of waters. 
This is the moment when, it has been said, Columbus was 
compelled to make conditions with his followers, stipulat- 
ing to abandon the enterprise altogether, should it fail of 
success in a given number of days. But this weakness 
has been falsely ascribed to the great navigator, who never 
lost the fullest exercise of his authority, even in the darkest 
moments of doubt ; maintaining his purpose, and asserting 
his power, with the same steadiness and calmness, in what 
some thought this distant verge of the earth, as he had 
done in the rivers of Spain. Prudence and policy at last 
dictated a change of course, however, which he was neither 
too obstinate nor too proud to submit to, and he accord- 
ingly adopted it of his own accord. 

“ We are now quite a thousand leagues from Ferro, by 
my private reckoning, friend Luis,” said Columbus to his 
young companion, in one of their private conferences, 
which took place after nightfall, “ and it is really time to 
expect the continent of Asia. Hitherto I have looked for 
naught but islands, and not with much expectation of see- 
ing even them, though Martin Alonzo and the pilots have 
been so sanguine in their hopes. The large flocks of birds, 
however, that have appeared to-day, would seem to invite 
us to follow their flights — land, out of doubt, being their 
aim. I shall accordingly change our course more to the 
south, though not as far as Pinzon desiretli, Cathay being 
still my goal.” 

Columbus gave the necessary orders, and the two other 
caravels were brought within hail of the Santa Maria, 
when their commanders were directed to steer west-south- 
west. The reason for this change was the fact that so 
many birds had been seen flying in that direction. The 
intention of the admiral was to pursue this course, for two 
days. Notwithstanding this alteration, no land was visible 
in the morning ; but, as the wind was light, and the vessels- 
had only made five leagues since the course was changed, 
the disappointment produced less despondency than usual. 
In spite of their uncertainty, all in the vessels now rioted 
in the balmy softness of the atmosphere, which was found 
so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it. The weeds, 
too, became more plenty, and many of them were as fresh 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


289 


as if torn from their native rocks only a day or two pre- 
viously. Birds, that unequivocally belonged to the land, 
were also seen in considerable numbers, one of which was 
actually taken ; while ducks abounded, and another peli- 
can was met. Thus passed the 8th of October, the adven- 
turers filled with hope, though the vessels only increased 
their distance from Europe some forty miles in the course 
of the twenty-four hours. The succeeding day brought no 
other material change than a shift of wind, which compelled 
the admiral to alter his course to west-by-north, for a few 
hours. This caused him some uneasiness, for it was his 
wish to proceed due west, or west-southerly ; though it 
afforded considerable relief to many among his people, 
who had been terrified by the prevalence of the winds in 
one direction. Had the variation still existed, this would 
have been, in fact, steering the very course the admiral 
desired to go ; but by this time the vessels were in a lati- 
tude and longitude where the needle resumed its powers 
and became faithful to its direction. In the course of the 
night the trades also resumed their influence ; and early 
on the morning of the 10th the vessels again headed 
toward the west-southwest, by compass, which was, in 
truth, the real course, or as near to it as might be. 

Such was the state of things when the sun rose on the 
morning of the 10th October, 1492. The wind had fresh- 
ened, and all three of the vessels were running free the 
whole day, at a rate varying from five knots to nine. The 
signs of the proximity of land had been so very numerous 
of late, that, at every league of ocean thev passed over, 
the adventurers had the strongest expectations of discover- 
ing it, and nearly every eye in all three of the ships was 
kept constantly bent on the western horizon, in the hope 
of its owner’s being the first to make the joyful announce- 
ment of its appearance. The cry of “land ” had been so 
frequent of late, however, that Columbus caused it to be 
made known that he who again uttered it causelessly 
should lose the reward promised by the sovereigns, even 
should he happen to be successful in the end. This infor- 
mation induced more caution, and not a tongue betrayed 
its master’s eagerness on this all-engrossing subject, 
throughout the anxious and exciting days of the 8th, 9th, 
and 10th October. But, their progress in the course of 
the 10th exceeding that made in the course of both the 
other days, the evening sky was watched with a vigilance 
even surpassing that which had attended any previous sun- 
19 


290 


MER CEDES OF CASTILE. 


set. This was the moment most favorable for examining 
the western horizon, the receding light illuminating the 
whole watery expanse in that direction, in a way to give 
up all its secrets to the eye. 

“Is that a hummock of land?” asked Pepe of Sancho, 
in a low voice, as they lay together on a yard, watching 
the upper limb of the sun, as it settled, like a glimmer- 
ing star, beneath the margin of the ocean ; “ or is it some 
of this misguiding vapor that hath so often misled us of 
late ? ” 

“ ’Tis neither, Pepe,” returned the more cool and ex- 
perienced Sancho ; “ but a rise of the sea, which is ever 
thus tossing itself upward on the margin of the # ocean. 
Didst ever see a calm so profound, that the water left a 
straight circle on the horizon ? No — no — there is no land 
to be seen in the west to-night ; the ocean, in that quarter, 
looking as blank as if we stood on the western shore of 
Ferro, and gazed outward into the broad fields of the At- 
lantic. Our noble admiral may have the truth of his side, 
Pepe ; but, as yet, he hath no other evidence of it than is 
to be found in his reasons.” 

“ And dost thou, too, take sides against him, Sancho, and 
say that he is a madman who is willing to lead others to 
destruction, as well as himself, so that he die an admiral in 
fact, and a viceroy in fancy ? ” 

“ I take sides against no man whose doblas take sides 
with me, Pepe ; for that would be quarrelling with the 
best friend that both the rich and poor can make, which is 
gold. Don Christopher is doubtless very learned, and one 
thing hath he settled to my satisfaction, even though 
neither he nor any of us ever see a single jewel of Cathay, 
or pluck a hair from the beard of the Great Khan, and that 
is, that this world is round ; had it been a plain, all this 
water would not be placed at the outer side, since it would 
clearly run off, unless dammed up by land. Thou canst 
conceive that, Pepe ? ” 

“ That do I ; it is reasonable and according to every man’s 
experience. Monica thinketh the Genoese a saint! ” 

“ Harkee, Pepe ; thy Monica is no doubt an uncommonly 
sensible woman, else would she never have taken thee for 
a husband, when she might have chosen among a dozen 
of thy fellows. I once thought of the girl myself, and 
might have told her so, had she seen fit to call me a saint, 
too, which she did not, seeing that she used a very different 
epithet. But, admitting the Senor Colon to be a saint, he 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


291 


would be none the better admired for it, inasmuch as 1 
never yet met with a saint, or even with a virgin, that could 
understand the bearings and distances of a run as short as 
that from Cadiz to Barcelona.” 

“ Thou speakest irreverently, Sancho, of virgins and 
saints, seeing that they know everything ” 

“ Ay, everything but that. Our Lady of Rabida does not 
know southeast-and-by-southe-half-southe, from north- 
west-and-by-noathe-half-noathe. I have tried her, in this 
matter, and I tell thee she is as ignorant of it as thy Monica 
is ignorant of the manner in which the Duchess of Medina 
Sidonia saluteth the noble duke, her husband, when he re- 
turneth from hawking.” 

“ I dare say the duchess would not know, either, what 
to say, were she in Monica’s place, and were she called 
on to receive me, as Monica will be, when we return from 
this great expedition. If I have never hawked, neither 
hath the duke ever sailed for two-and-thirty days, in a west 
course from Ferro, and this, too, without once seeing land !” 

“ Thou say’st true, Pepe ; nor hast thou ever yet done 
this and returned to Palos. But what meaneth all this 
movement on deck ? Our people seem to be much moved 
by some feeling,- while I can swear it is not from having 
discovered Cathay, or from haying seen the Great Khan, 
shining like a carbuncle, on his throne of diamonds.” 

“ It is rather that they do not see him thus, that the men 
are moved. Dost not hear angry and threatening words 
from the mouths of the troublesome ones?” 

“ By San Iago ! were I Don Christopher, but I would de- 
duct a dobla from the wages of each of the rascals, and 
give the gold to such peaceable men as you and me, Pepe, 
who are willing to starve to death ere we will go back 
without a sight of Asia.” 

“ ’Tis something of this sort, of a truth, Sancho. Let 
us descend, that his Excellency may see that he hath some 
friends among the crew.” 

As Sancho assented to this proposition, he and Pepe 
stood on the deck in the next minute. Here, indeed, the 
people were found in a more mutinous state than they had 
been since the fleet left Spain. The. long continuation of 
fair winds, and pleasant weather, had given them so much 
reason to expect a speedy termination of their voyage, that 
nearly the whole crew were now of opinion it was due to 
themselves to insist on the abandonment of an expedition 
that seemed destined to lead to nothing but destruction. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


292 

The discussion was loud and angry, even one or two of the 
pilots inclining to think, with their inferiors, that further 
perseverance would certainly be useless, and might be 
fatal. When Sancho and Pepe joined the crow T d, it had 
just been determined to go in a body to Columbus, and to 
demand, in terms that could not be misconceived, the im- 
mediate return of the ships to Spain, in order that this 
might be done with method, Pedro Alonzo Nino, one of the 
pilots, and an aged seaman called Juan Martin, were 
selected as spokesmen. At this critical moment, too, the 
admiral and Luis were seen descending from the poop, 
with an intent to retire to their cabin, when a rush was 
made aft, by all on deck, and twenty voices were heard 
simultaneously crying — * 

“ Sehor — Don Christopher — Your Excellency — Senor 
Almirante ! ” 

Columbus stopped, and faced the people with a calmness 
and dignity that caused the heart of Nino to leap toward 
his mouth, and which materially checked the ardor of most 
of his followers. 

“What would ye?” demanded the admiral, sternly. 
“ Speak ! Ye address a friend.” 

“We come to ask our precious lives, Senor,” answered 
Juan Martin, who thought his insignificance might prove 
a shield — “nay, what is more, the means of putting bread 
into the mouths of our wives and children. All here are 
weary of this profitless voyage, and most think if it last 
any longer than shall be necessary to return, it will be the 
means of our perishing of want.” 

“ Know ye the distance that lieth between us and Ferro, 
that ye come to me with this blind and foolish request ? 
Speak, Nifio ; I see that thou art also of their number, 
notwithstanding thy hesitation.” 

“ Senor,” returned the pilot, “we are all of a mind. To 
go further into this blank and unknown ocean, is tempting 
God to destroy us, for our wilfulness. It is vain to sup- 
pose that this broad belt of water hath been placed by 
Providence around the habitable earth for any other pur- 
pose than to rebuke those who audaciously seek to be ad- 
mitted to mysteries beyond their understanding. Do not 
all the churchmen, Senor — the pious prior of Santa Maria 
de Rabida, your own particular friend, included — tell us 
constantly of the necessity of submitting to a knowledge 
we can never equal, and to believe without striving to lift 
a veil that covers incomprehensible things ?” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


2 93 


“I might retort on thee, honest Nino, with thine own 
words,” answered Columbus, “ and bid thee confide in those 
whose knowledge thou canst never equal, and to follow 
submissively where thou art totally unfitted to lead. Go to ; 
withdraw with thy fellows, and let me hear no more of this.” 

“Nay, Senor,” cried two or three in a breath, “we can- 
not perish without making our complaints heard. We have 
followed too far already, and, even now, may have gone 
beyond the means of a safe return. Let us, then, turn the 
heads of the caravels toward Spain, this night, lest we 
never live to see that blessed country again.” 

“ This toucheth on revolt ! Who among ye dare use lan- 
guage so bold to your admiral ? ” 

“ All of us, Senor,” answered twenty voices together. 
“ Man need be bold when their lives would be forfeited by 
silence.” 

“Sancho, art thou, too, of the party of these mutineers? 
Dost thou confess thy heart to be Spain-sick, and thy un- 
manly fears to be stronger than thy hopes of imperishable 
glory and thy longings for the riches and pleasures of 
Cathay? ” 

“ If I do, Senor Don Almirante, set me to greasing 
masts, and take me from the helm forever, as one un- 
fit to watch the whirling of the north star. Sail with 
the caravels into the hall of the Great Khan, and make 
fast to his throne, and you will find Sancho at his post, 
whether it be at the helm or at the lead. He was born in 
a ship-yard, and hath a natural desire to know what a ship 
can do.” 

“ And thou, Pepe ? Hast thou so forgotten thy duty as 
to come with this language to thy commander ? to the ad- 
miral and viceroy of thy sovereign, the Dona Isabella?” 

“Viceroy over what?” exclaimed a voice from the 
crowd, without permitting Pepe to answer. “A viceroy 
over sea- weed, and one that hath tunny-fish, and whales, 
and pelicans for subjects ! We tell you, Senor Colon, that 
this is no treatment for Castilians, who require more sub- 
stantial discoveries than fields of weeds and islands of 
clouds ! ” 

“ Home ! — Home ! — Spain ! — Spain ! — Palos ! — Palos ! ” 
cried nearly all together, Sancho and Pepe having quitted 
the throng and ranged themselves at the side of Colum- 
bus. “We will no further west, which is tempting God; 
but demand to be carried back whence we came, if indeed 
it be not already too late for so happy a deliverance.” 


2 94 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


“To whom speak ye in this shameless manner, graceless 
knaves?” exclaimed Luis, unconsciously laying a hand 
where it had been his practice to carry a rapier. “ Get ye 
gone, or ” 

“ Be tranquil, friend Pedro, and leave this matter with 
me,” interrupted the admiral, whose composure had scarce 
been deranged by the violent conduct of the subordinates. 
“ Listen to what I have to say, ye rude and rebellious 
men, and let it be received as my final answer to any and 
all such demands as ye have just dared to make. This ex- 
pedition hath been sent forth by the two sovereigns, your 
royal master and mistress, with the express design of 
crossing the entire breadth of the vast Atlantic, until it 
might reach the shore of India. Now, let what will hap- 
pen, these high expectations shall not be disappointed ; 
but westward we sail, until stopped by the land. For this 
determination my life shall answer. Look to it, that none 
of yours be endangered by resistance to the royal orders, 
or by disrespect and disobedience to their appointed sub- 
stitute ; for another murmur, and I mark the man that ut- 
tereth it for signal punishment. In this ye have my full 
determination, and beware of encountering the anger of 
those whose displeasure may prove more fatal than these 
fancied dangers of the ocean. 

“ Look at what ye have before you, in the way of fear, 
and then at what ye have before ye, in the way of hope. 
In the first case, ye have everything to dread from the 
sovereigns’ anger, should ye proceed to a violent resist- 
ance of their authority ; or, what is as bad, something like 
a certainty of your being unable to reach Spain, for want 
of food and water, should ye revolt against your lawful 
leaders and endeavor to return. For this, it is now too 
late. The voyage east must, as regard time, be double that 
we have just made, and the caravels are beginning to be 
lightened in their casks. Land, and land in this region, 
hath become necessary to us. Now look at the other side 
of the picture. Before ye lieth Cathay, with all its riches, 
its novelties, and its glories ! A region more wonderful 
than any that hath yet been inhabited by man, and oc- 
cupied by a race as gentle as they are hospitable and just. 
To this must be added the approbation of the sover- 
eigns, and the credit that will belong to the meanest mar- 
iner that hath manfully stood by his commander in 
achieving so great an end.” 

“ If we will obey three days longer, Senor, will you then 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 295 

turn toward Spain, should no land be seen ?” cried a voice 
from the crowd. 

“Never,” returned Columbus, firmly. “To India am I 
bound, and for India will I steer, though another month 
be needed to complete the journey. Go, then, to your 
posts or your hammocks, and let me hear no more of this.” 

There was so much natural dignity in the manner of 
Columbus, and when he spoke in anger his voice carried 
so much of rebuke with it, that it exceeded the daring of 
ordinary men to presume to answer when he commanded 
silence. The people sullenly dispersed, therefore, though 
the disaffection was by no means appeased. Had there 
been only a single vessel in the expedition, it is quite 
probable that they woulcHiave proceeded to some act of 
violence ; but, uncertain of the state of feeling in the 
Pinta and the Nina, and holding Martin Alonzo Pinzon in 
as much habitual respect as they stood in awe of Colum- 
bus, the boldest among them were, for the present, fain to 
give vent to their dissatisfaction in murmurs, though they 
secretly meditated decided measures, as soon as an oppor- 
tunity for consultation and concert with the crews of the 
other vessels might offer. 

“ This looketh serious, Senor,” said Luis, as soon as he 
and the admiral were alone again in their little cabin, 
“and, by St. Luke ! it might cool the ardor of these knaves 
did your Excellency suffer me to cast two or three of the 
most insolent of the vagabonds into the sea.” 

“Which is a favor that some among them have actually 
contemplated conferring upon thee and me,” answered 
Columbus. “Sancho keepeth me well informed of the 
feeling among the people, and it is now many days since 
he hath let me know this fact. We will proceed peacea- 
bly, if possible, Senor Gutierrez, or de Munos, whichever 
name thou most affectest, as long as we can ; but should 
there truly arise an occasion to resort to force, thou wilt 
find that Christofero Columbo knoweth how to wield a 
sword as well as he knoweth how to use his instruments 
of science.” 

“ How far do you really think us from land, Senor Al- 
mirante ? I ask from curiosity, and not from dread ; for 
though the ship floated on the very verge of the earth, 
ready to fall off into vacuum, you should hear no murmur 
from me.” 

“ I am well assured of this, young noble,” returned 
Columbus, affectionately squeezing the hand of Luis, 


296 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“else wouldst thou not be here. I make our distance 
from Ferro exceed a thousand marine leagues ; this is 
about the same as that at which I have supposed Cathay 
to lie from Europe, and it is, out of question, sufficiently 
far to meet with many of the islands that are known to 
abound in the seas of Asia. The public reckoning maketh 
the distance a little more than eight hundred leagues ;but, 
in consequence of the favorable currents of which we 
have lately had so much, I doubt if we are not fully eleven 
hundred from the Canaries, at this moment, if not even 
further. We are doubtless a trifle nearer to the Azores, 
which are situated further west, though in a higher lati- 
tude.” 

“Then you think, Senor, tlmt we may really expect 
land ere many days ? ” 

“ So certain do I feel of this, Luis, that I should have 
little apprehension of complying with the terms of these 
audacious men, but for the humiliation. Ptolemy divided 
the earth into twenty-four hours, of fifteen degrees each, 
and I place but some five or six of these hours in the At- 
lantic. Thirteen hundred leagues, I feel persuaded, will 
bring us to the shores of Asia, and eleven of these thirteen 
hundred leagues do I believe we have come.” 

“To-morrow may then prove an eventful day, Senor 
Almirante ; and now to our cots, where I shall dream of a 
fairer land than Christian eye ever yet looked upon, with 
the fairest maiden of Spain — nay, by San Pedro ! of 
Europe — beckoning me on ! ” 

Columbus and Luis now sought their rest. In the morn- 
ing, it was evident by the surly looks of the people, that 
feelings like a suppressed volcano were burning in their 
bosoms, and that any untoward accident might produce 
an eruption. Fortunately, however, signs of a nature so 
novel soon appeared as to draw off the attention of the 
most disaffected from their melancholy broodings. The 
wind was fresh, as usual fair, and, what was really a novel- 
ty since quitting Ferro, the sea had got up, and the vessels 
were riding over waves which removed that appearance of 
an unnatural calm that had hitherto alarmed the men with 
its long continuance. Columbus had not been on deck 
five minutes, when a joyful cry from Pepe drew all eyes 
toward the yard on which he was at work. The seaman 
was pointing eagerly at some object in the water, and, 
rushing to the side of the vessel, all saw the welcome sign 
that had caught his gaze. As the ship lifted on a sea, and 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


297 


shot ahead, a rush of a bright fresh green was passed, and 
the men gave a loud shout, for all well knew that this 
plant certainly came from some shore, and that it could 
not have been long torn from the spot of its growth. 

“ This is truly a blessed omen ! ” said Columbus ; “rushes 
cannot grow without the light of heaven, whatever may 
be the case with weeds.” 

This little occurrence changed, or at least checked, the 
feelings of the disaffected. Hope once more resumed its 
sway, and all who could ascended the rigging to watch 
the western horizon. The rapid motion of the vessels, 
too, added to this buoyancy of feeling, the Pintaand Nina 
passing and repassing the admiral, as it might be in pure 
wantonness. A few hours later fresh weeds were met, and 
about noon Sancho announced confidently that he had 
seen a fish which is known to live in the vicinity of rocks. 
An hour later the Nina came sheering up toward the ad- 
miral, with her commander in the rigging, evidently desir- 
ous of communicating some tidings of moment. 

“ What now, good Vincente Yanez ? ” called out Colum- 
bus ; “ thou seemest the messenger of welcome news ! ” 

“ I think myself such, Don Christopher,” answered the 
other. “ We have just passed a bush bearing roseberries, 
quite newly torn from the tree ! This is a sign that cannot 
deceive us.” 

“Thou say’st true, my friend. To the west! — to the 
west*! Happy will he be whose eyes first behold the won- 
ders of the Indies ! ” 

It would not be easy to describe the degree of hope and 
exultation that now began to show itself among the peo- 
ple. Good-natured jests flew about the decks, and the 
laugh was easily raised where so lately all had been de- 
spondency and gloom. The minutes flew swiftly by, and 
every man had ceased to think of Spain, bending his 
thoughts again on the as yet unseen west. 

A little later a cry of exultation was heard from the 
Pinta, which was a short distance to windward and ahead 
of the admiral. As this vessel shortened sail and hove-to, 
lowering a boat, and then immediately kept away, the Santa 
Maria soon came foaming up under her quarter, and spoke 
her. 

“ What now, Martin Alonzo ? ” asked Columbus, sup- 
pressing his anxiety in an appearance of calmness and 
dignity. “ Thou and thy people seem in an ecstasy ! ” 

"“Well may we be so ! About an hour since we passed 


298 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


a piece of the cane-plant, of the sort of which sugar is 
made in the East, as travellers say, and such as we often 
see in our own ports. But this is a trifling symptom of 
land compared to the trunk of a tree that we have also 
passed. As if Providence had not yet dealt with us with 
sufficient kindness, all these articles were met floating near 
each other ; and we have thought them of sufficient value 
to lower a boat, that we might possess them.” 

“ Lay thy sails to the mast, good Martin Alonzo, and 
send thy prizes hither, that I may judge of their value.” 

Pinzon complied, and the Santa Maria being hove-to at 
the same time, the boat soon touched her side. Martin 
Alonzo made but one bound from the thwart to the gun- 
wale of the ship, and was soon on the deck of the admiral. 
Here he eagerly displayed the different articles that his 
men tossed after him, all of which had been taken out of 
the sea not an hour before. 

“ See, noble Senores,” said Martin Alonzo, almost breath- 
less with haste to display his treasures, “ this is a sort of 
board, though of unknown wood, and fashioned with ex- 
ceeding care ; here is also another piece of cane ; this is a 
plant that surely cometh from the land ; and, most of all, 
this is a walking-stick, fashioned by the hand of man, and 
that, too, with exceeding care ! ” 

“All this is true,” said Columbus, examining the differ- 
ent articles, one by one ; “ God, in his might and power, 
be praised for these comfortable evidences of our- near 
approach to a new world ! None but a malignant Infidel 
can now doubt of our final success.” 

“ These things have questionless come from some boat 
that hath been upset, which will account for their being 
so near each other in the water,” said Martin Alonzo, will- 
ing to sustain his physical proofs by a plausible theory. 
“It would not be wonderful were drowned bodies near.” 

“Let us hope not, Martin Alonzo,” answered the admi- 
ral ; “let us fancy naught so melancholy. A thousand ac- 
cidents may have thrown these articles together into the 
sea ; and once there, they would float in company for a 
twelvemonth, unless violently separated. But come they 
whence they may, to us they are infallible proofs that not 
only land is near, but land which is the abiding-place of 
men.” 

It is not easy to describe the enthusiasm that now pre- 
vailed in all the vessels. Hitherto they had met with only 
birds, and fishes, and weeds, signs that are often precarious; 


MERCEDES OF CASTJLE. 


2 99 


but here was such proof of their being in the neighbor- 
hood of their fellow-creatures as it was not easy to with- 
stand. It was true, articles of this nature might drift, in 
time, even across the vast distance they had come ; but it 
was not probable that they would drift so far in company. 
Then, the berries were fresh, the board was of an unknown 
wood, and the walking-stick, in particular, if such indeed 
was its use, was carved in a manner that was never prac- 
tised in Europe. The different articles passed from hand 
to hand, until all in the ship had examined them ; and 
everything like doubt vanished before this unlooked-for 
confirmation of the admiral’s predictions. Pinzon re- 
turned to his vessel, sail was again made, and the fleet 
continued to steer to the west-southwest, until the hour of 
sunset. 

Something like a chill of disappointment again came 
over the more faint-hearted of the people, however, as they 
once more, or for the thirty-fourth time since quitting Go- 
mera, saw the sun sink behind a watery horizon. More 
than a hundred vigilant eyes watched the glowing margin 
of the ocean at this interesting moment, and though the 
heavens were cloudless naught was visible but the glori- 
ously-tinted vault and the outline of water, broken into 
the usual ragged forms of the unquiet element. 

The wind freshened as evening closed, and Columbus 
having called his vessels together, as was usual with him 
at that hour, he issued new orders concerning the course. 
For the last two or three days they had been steering ma- 
terially to the southward of west, and Columbus, who felt 
persuaded that his most certain and his nearest direction 
from land to land was to traverse the ocean, if possible, 
on a single parallel of latitude, was anxious to resume his 
favorite course, which was what he fancied to be due west. 
Just as night drew around the mariners, accordingly, the 
ships edged away to the required course, and ran off at 
the rate of nine miles the hour, following the orb of day as 
if resolute to penetrate into the mysteries of his nightly re- 
treat, until some great discovery should reward the ef- 
fort. 

Immediately after this change in the course the people 
sang the vesper hymn, as usual, which, in that mild sea, 
they often deferred until the hour when the watch below 
sought their hammocks. That night, however, none felt 
disposed to sleep ; and it was late when the chant of the 
seamen commenced, with the words of “ Salve fac Regina" 


3 °° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


It was a solemn thing to hear the songs of religious praise 
mingling with the sighings of the breeze and the wash of 
the waters in that ocean solitude ; and the solemnity was 
increased bv the expectations of the adventurers and the 
mysteries that lay behind the curtain they believed them- 
selves about to raise. Never before had this hymn sound- 
ed so sweetly in the ears of Columbus, and Luis found his 
eyes suffusing with tears, as he recalled the soft thrilling 
notes of Mercedes’ voice, in her holy breathings of praise 
at this hour. When the office ended, the admiral called 
the crew to the quarter-deck, and addressed them earnest- 
ly from his station on the poop. 

“I rejoice, my friends,” he said, “that you have had the 
grace to chant the vesper hymn in so devout a spirit, at a 
moment when there is so much reason to be grateful to 
God for his goodness to us throughout this voyage. Look 
back at the past and see if one of you, the oldest sailor of 
your number, can recall any passage at sea, I will not say 
of equal length, for that no one here hath ever before 
made, but any equal number of days at sea, in which the 
winds have been as fair, the weather as propitious, or the 
ocean as calm, as on this occasion. Then what cheering 
signs have encouraged us to persevere ! God is in the 
midst of the ocean, my friends, as well as in the sanctu- 
aries of the land. Step by step, as it were, hath he led us 
on, now filling the air with birds, now causing the sea to 
abound with unusual fishes, and then spreading before us 
fields of plants, such as are seldom met far from the rocks 
where they grew. The last and best of his signs hath he 
given us this day. My own calculations are in unison with 
these proofs, and I deem it probable that we reach the 
land this very night. In a few hours, or when we shall 
have run the distance commanded by the eye as the light 
left us, I shall deem it prudent to shorten sail ; and I call 
on all of you to be watchful, lest we unwittingly throw 
ourselves on the strange shores. Ye know that the sover- 
eigns have graciously promised ten thousand maravedis 
yearly, and for life, to him who shall first discover land : 
to this rich reward I will add a doublet of velvet, such as 
it would befit a grandee to wear. Sleep not, then ; but, at 
the turn of the night, be all vigilance and watchfulness. 
I am now most serious with ye, and look for land this very 
blessed night.” 

These encouraging words produced their full effect, the 
men scattering themselves in the ship, each taking the best 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


301 


position he could, to earn the coveted prizes. Deep ex- 
pectation is always a quiet feeling, the jealous senses 
seeming to require silence and intensity of concentration 
in order to give them their full exercise. Columbus re- 
mained on the poop, while Luis, less interested, threw him- 
self on a sail, and passed the time in musing on Mercedes, 
and in picturing to himself the joyful moment when he 
might meet her again, a triumphant and successful advent- 
urer. 

The deathlike silence that prevailed in the ship added 
to the absorbing interest of that important night. At the 
distance of a mile was the little Nina, gliding on her course 
with a full sail ; while half a league still further in advance 
was to be seen the shadowy outline of the Pinta, which 
preceded her consorts, as the swiftest sailer with a fresh 
breeze. Sancho had been round to every sheet and brace 
in person, and never before had the admiral’s ship held as 
good way with her consorts as on that night, all three of 
the vessels appearing to have caught the eager spirit of 
those they contained, and to be anxious to outdo them- 
selves. At moments the men started, while the wind mur- 
mured through the cordage, as if they heard unknown and 
strange voices from a mysterious world ; and fifty times, 
when the waves combed upon the sides of the ship, did 
they turn their heads, expecting to see a crowd of unknown 
beings, fresh from the eastern world, pouring in upon their 
decks. 

As for Columbus, he sighed often ; for minutes at a time 
would he stand looking intently toward the west, like one 
who strove to penetrate the gloom of night with organs 
exceeding human powers. At length he bent his body 
forward, gazed intently over the weather railing of the 
ship, and then, lifting his cap, he seemed to be offering up 
his spirit in thanksgiving or prayer. All this Luis wit- 
nessed where he lay ; at the next instant he heard himself 
called. 

“ Pero Gutierrez — Pedro de Mufios — Luis — whatever 
thou art termed,” said Columbus, his fine masculine voice 
trembling with eagerness, “come hither, son ; tell me if 
thine eyes accord with mine. Look in this direction — here, 
more on the vessel’s beam ; seest thou aught uncommon ?” 

“ I saw a light, Senior ; one that resembled a candle, 
being neither larger nor more brilliant ; and to me it ap- 
peared to move, as if carried in the hand, or tossed by 
waves.” 


3 02 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Thy eyes did not deceive thee ; thou seest it doth not 
come of either of our consorts, both of which are here on 
the bow.” 

“ What do you, then, take this light to signify, Don Chris- 
topher ? ” 

“ Land ! It is either on the land itself, rendered small 
by distance, or it cometh of some vessel that is a stranger 
to us, and which belongeth to the Indies. There is Rodrigo 
Sanchez of Segovia, the comptroller of the fleet, beneath 
us ; descend, and bid him come hither.” 

Luis did as required, and presently the comptroller was 
also at the admiral’s side. Half an hour passed, and the 
light was not seen again ; then it gleamed upward once or 
twice, like a torch, and finally disappeared. This circum- 
stance was soon known to all in the ship, though few at- 
tached the same importance to it as Columbus himself. 

“This is land,” quietly observed the admiral, to those 
near his person ; “ ere many hours we may expect to be- 
hold it. Now ye may pour out your souls in gratitude and 
confidence, for in such a sign there can be no deception. 
No phenomenon of the ocean resembleth that light ; and 
my reckoning placeth us in a quarter of the world where 
land must exist, else is the earth no sphere.” 

Notwithstanding this great confidence on the part of 
the admiral, most of those in the ship did not yet feel the 
same certainty in the result, although all felt the strongest 
hopes of falling in with land next day. Columbus saying 
no more on the subject, the former silence was soon re- 
sumed, and, in a few minutes, every eye was again turned 
toward the west, in anxious watchfulness. In this manner 
the time passed away, the ships driving ahead with a speed 
much exceeding that of their ordinary rate of sailing, until 
the night had turned, when its darkness was suddenly 
illuminated by a blaze of light, and the report of a gun 
from the Pinta came struggling up against the fresh breeze 
of the trades. 

“ There speaketh Martin Alonzo ! ” exclaimed the admi- 
ral ; “ and we may be certain that he hath not given the 
signal idly. Who sitteth at the top-gallant yard, there, on 
watch for wonders ahead ?” 

“ Senor Don Almirante, it is I,” answered Sancho. “ I 
have been here since we sang the vesper hymn.” 

“ Seest thou aught unusual, westward ? Look vigilantly, 
for we touch on mighty things ! ” 

“Naught, Senor, unless it be that the Pinta is lessening 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


303 


her canvas, and the Nina is already closing with our fleet 
consort — nay, I now see the latter shortening sail also ! ” 

“ For these great tidings, all honor and praise be to 
God ! These are proofs that no false cry hath this time 
misled their judgments. We will join our consorts, good 
Bartolemeo, ere we take in a single inch of canvas.” 

Everything was now in motion on board the Santa Maria, 
which went dashing ahead for another half hour, when she 
came up with the two other caravels, both of which had 
hauled by the wind, under short canvas, and were forging 
slowly through the water, on different tacks, like coursers 
cooling themselves after having terminated a severe strug- 
gle by reaching the goal. 

“ Come hither, Luis,” said Columbus, “ and feast thine 
eyes with a sight that doth not often meet the gaze of the 
best of Christians.” 

The night was far from dark, a tropical sky glittering 
with a thousand stars, and even the ocean itself appearing 
to emit a sombre, melancholy light. By the aid of such 
assistants it was possible to see several miles, and more 
especially to note objects on the margin of the ocean. 
When the young man cast his eyes to leeward, as directed 
by Columbus, he very plainly perceived a point where the 
blue of the sky ceased and a dark mound rose from the 
water, stretching for a few leagues southward, and then 
terminated, as it had commenced, by a union between the 
watery margin of the ocean and the void of heaven. The 
intermediate space had the defined outline, the density, 
and the hue of land as seen at midnight. 

“Behold the Indies!” said Columbus; “the mighty 
problem is solved ! This is doubtless an island, but a con- 
tinent is near. Laud be to God ! ” 


CHAPTER XXII. 


“ There is a Power, whose care 

Teaches thy way along that pathless coast — 

The desert and illimitable air — 

Lone wandering, but not lost.” — B ryant. 

The two or three hours that succeeded were hours of an 
extraordinary and intense interest. The three vessels 
stood hovering off the dusky shore, barely keeping at a 


3°4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


safe distance, stripped of most of their canvas, resembling 
craft that cruised leisurely at a given point, indifferent to 
haste or speed. As they occasionally and slowly passed 
each other, words of heartfelt congratulation were ex- 
changed ; but no noisy or intemperate exultation was heard 
on that all-important night. The sensations excited in the 
adventurers, by their success, were too deep and solemn 
for any such vulgar exhibition of joy ; and perhaps there 
was not one among them all who did not, at that moment, 
inwardly confess his profound submission to, and absolute 
dependence on a Divine Providence. 

Columbus was silent. Emotions like his seldom find 
vent in words ; but his heart was overflowing with gratitude 
and love. He believed himself to be in the further east, 
and to have reached that part of the world by sailing west ; 
and it is natural to suppose that he expected the curtain 
of day would rise on some of those scenes of oriental 
magnificence which had been so eloquently described by 
the Polos and other travellers in those remote and little 
known regions. That this or other islands were inhabited, 
the little he had seen sufficiently proved ; but, as yet, all 
the rest was conjecture of the wildest and most uncertain 
character. The fragrance of the land, however, was very 
perceptible in the vessels, thus affording an opportunity to 
two of the senses to unite in establishing their success. 

At length the long wished-for day approached, and the 
eastern sky began to assume the tints that precede the 
appearance of the sun. As the light diffused itself athwart 
the dark blue ocean, and reached the island, the outlines 
of the latter became more and more distinct; then objects 
became visible on its surface, trees, glades, rocks, and 
irregularities, starting out of the gloom, until the whole 
picture was drawn in the gray, solemn colors of morning. 
Presently the direct rays of the sun touched it, gilding its 
prominent points, and throwing others into shadow. It 
then became apparent that the discovery was that of an 
island of no great extent, well wooded, and of a verdant 
and pleasant aspect. The land was low*, but possessed an 
outline sufficiently graceful to cause it to seem a paradise 
in the eyes of men who had seriously doubted whether 
they were ever to look on solid ground again. The view 
of his mother earth is always pleasant to the mariner who 
has long gazed on nothing but water and sky ; but thrice 
beautiful did it now seem to men who not only saw in it 
their despair cured, but their most brilliant hopes revived. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3°5 

From the position of the land near him, Columous did not 
doubt that he had passed another island, on which the 
light had been seen, and, from his known course, this con- 
jecture has since been rendered almost certain. 

The sun had scarcely risen, when living beings were 
seen rushing out of the woods to gaze in astonishment at 
the sudden appearance of machines, that were at first mis- 
taken by the untutored islanders for messengers from 
heaven. Shortly after Columbus anchored his little fleet, 
and landed to take possession in the name of the two 
sovereigns. 

As much state was observed on this occasion as the 
limited means of the adventurers would allow. Each ves- 
sel sent a boat, with her commander. The admiral, attired 
in scarlet, and carrying the royal standard, proceeded in 
advance, while Martin Alonzo and Vicente Yafiez Pinzon 
followed, holding banners bearing crosses, the symbol of 
the expedition, with letters representing the initials of the 
two sovereigns, or F. and Y., for Fernando and Ysabel. 

The forms usual to such occasions were observed on 
reaching the shore. Columbus took possession, rendered 
thanks to God for the success of the expedition, and then 
began to look about him in order to form some estimate 
of the value of his discovery.* 

No sooner were the ceremonies observed than the peo- 
ple crowded round the admiral, and began to pour out 
their congratulations for his success, wfith their contrition 
for their own distrust and disaffection. The scene has 
often been described as a proof of the waywardness and 

* It is a singular fact that the position and name of the precise island 
that was first fallen in with, on this celebrated voyage, remain to this day, 
if not a matter of doubt, at least a matter of discussion. By most persons, 
some of the best authorities included, it is believed that the adventurers 
made Cat Island, as the place is now called, though the admiral gave it 
the appellation of San Salvador ; while others contend for what is now 
termed Turk’s Island. The reason given for the latter opinion is the posi- 
tion of the island, and the course subsequently steered in order to reach 
Cuba. Munoz is of opinion that it was Watling’s Island, which lies due 
east of Cat Island, at the distance of a degree of longitude, or a few hours’ 
run. As respects Turk’s Island, the facts do not sustain the theory. The 
course steered after quitting the island was not west, but southwest ; and 
we find Columbus anxious to get south to reach the island of Cuba, which 
was described to him by the natives, and which he believed to be Cipango. 
No reason is given by Munoz for his opinion; but Watling’s does not an- 
swer the description of the great navigator, while it is so placed as to have 
lain quite near his course, and was doubtless passed unseen in the dark- 
ness. It is thought the light so often observed by Columbus was on this 
island. 


20 


3°6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


inconstancy of human judgments; the being who had so 
lately been scowled on as a reckless and selfish adventurer, 
being now regarded as little less than a God. The ad- 
miral was no more elated by this adulation than he had 
been intimidated by the previous dissatisfaction, maintain- 
ing his calmness of exterior and gravity of demeanor with 
those who pressed around him, though a close observer 
might have detected the gleaming of triumph in his eye, 
and the glow of inward rapture on his cheek. 

“ These honest people are as inconstant in their appre- 
hensions as they are extreme in their rejoicings,” said 
Columbus to Luis, when liberated a little from the throng; 
“yesterday they would have cast me into the sea, and to- 
day they are much disposed to forget God himself in His 
unworthy creature. Dost not see that the men who gave 
us most concern, on account of their discontent, are now 
the loudest in their applause ?” 

“This is but nature, Senor; fear flying from panic to 
exultation. These knaves fancy they are praising you, 
when they are in truth rejoicing in their own escape from 
some unknown but dreaded evil. Our friends Sancho and 
Pepe seem not to be thus overwhelmed, for while the last 
is gathering flowers from this shore of India, the first 
seems to be looking about him with, commendable cool- 
ness, as if he might be calculating the latitude and longi- 
tude of the Great Khan’s doblas.” 

Columbus smiled, and, accompanied by Luis, he drew 
nearer to the two men mentioned, who were a little apart 
from the rest of the group. Sancho was standing with 
his hands thrust into the bosom of his doublet, regarding 
the scene with the coolness of a philosopher, and toward 
him the admiral first directed his steps. 

“ How is this, Sancho of the ship-yard gate ? ” said the 
great navigator; “thou lookest on this glorious scene as 
coolly as thou wouldst regard a street in Moguer, or a 
field in Andalusia ? ” 

“ Senor Don Almirante, the same hand made both. This 
is not the first island on which I have landed ; nor are 
yonder naked savages the first men I have seen who were 
not dressed in scarlet doublets.” 

“ But hast thou no feeling for success — no gratitude to 
God for this vast discovery ? Reflect, my friend, we are 
on the confines of Asia, and yet have we come here by 
holding a western course.” 

“That the last is true, Senor, I will swear myself, hav- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE , 


307 


ing held the tiller in mine own hands no small part of the 
way. Do you think, Senor Don Almirante, that we have 
come far enough in this direction to have got to the back 
side of the earth, or to stand, as it might be, under the 
very feet of Spain ?” 

“ By no means. The realms of the Great Khan will 
scarcely occupy the position you mean.” 

“Then, Senor, what will there be to prevent the doblas 
of that country from falling off into the air, leaving us our 
journey for our pains ?” 

“The same power that will prevent our caravels from 
dropping out of the sea, and the water itself from follow- 
ing. These things depend on natural laws, my friend, and 
nature is a legislator that will be respected.” 

“ It is all Moorish to me,” returned Sancho, rubbing his 
eyebrows. “ Here we are, of a verity, if not actually be- 
neath the feet of Spain, standing, as it might be, on the 
side of the house ; and yet I find no more difficulty in 
keeping on an even keel, than I did in Moguer — by Santa 
Clara! less in some particulars, good solid Xeres wine 
being far less plenty here than there.” 

“ Thou art no Moor, Sancho, although thy father’s name 
be a secret. And thou, Pepe, what dost thou find in those 
flowers to draw thy attention so early from all these won- 
ders ? ” 

“ Senor, I gather them for Monica. A female hath a 
more delicate feeling than a man, and she will be glad 
to see with what sort of ornaments God hath adorned the 
Indies.” 

“ Dost thou fancy, Pepe, that thy love can keep those 
flowers in bloom, until the good caravel shall recross the 
Atlantic ? ” demanded Luis, laughing. 

“ Who knoweth, Senor Gutierrez ? A warm heart mak- 
eth a thriving nursery. You would do well, too, if you 
prefer any .Castilian lady to all others, to bethink you of 
her beauty, and gather some of these rare plants to deck 
her hair.” 

Columbus now turned away, the natives seeming dis- 
posed to approach the strangers, while Luis remained near 
the young sailor, who still continued to collect the plants 
of the tropics. In a minute our hero was similarly em- 
ployed ; and long ere the admiral and the wondering 
islanders had commenced their first parley, he had ar- 
ranged a gorgeous bouquet, which he already fancied in the 
glossy dark hair of Mercedes. 


3°8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


The events of a public nature that followed, are too 
familiar to every intelligent reader to need repetition here. 
After passing a short time at San Salvador, Columbus pro- 
ceeded to other islands, led on by curiosity, and guided 
by real or fancied reports of the natives, until the 28th, 
when he reached that of Cuba. Here he imagined, for a 
time, that he had found the continent, and he continued 
coasting it, first in a northwesterly, and then in a south- 
easterly direction, for near a month. Familiarity with the 
novel scenes that offered soon lessened their influence, 
and the inbred feelings of avarice and ambition began to 
resume their sway in the bosoms of several of those who 
had been foremost in manifesting their submission to the 
admiral, when the discovery of land so triumphantly proved 
the justice of his theories, and the weakness of their own 
misgivings. Among others who thus came under the in- 
fluence of their nature, was Martin Alonzo Pinzon, who, 
finding himself almost entirely excluded from the society 
of the young Count of Llera, in whose eyes he -perceived 
he filled but a very subordinate place, fell back on his own 
local importance, and began to envy Columbus a glory 
that he now fancied he might have secured for himself. 
Hot words had passed between the admiral and himself, 
on more than one occasion, before the land was made, and 
every day something new occurred to increase the coldness 
between them. 

It forms no part of this work to dwell on the events that 
followed, as the adventurers proceeded from island to 
island, port to port, and river to river. It was soon appar- 
ent that very important discoveries had been made ; and 
the adventurers were led on day by day, pursuing their 
investigations, and following directions that were ill com- 
prehended, but which, it was fancied, pointed to mines of 
gold. Everywhere they met with a gorgeous and bounti- 
ful nature, scenery that fascinated the eye, and a climate 
that soothed the senses ; but, as yet, man was found living 
in the simplest condition of the savage state. The delusion 
of being in the Indies was general, and every intimation 
that fell from those untutored beings, whether by worcTor 
sign, was supposed to have some reference to the riches of 
the East. All believed that, if not absolutely within the 
kingdom of the Great Khan, they were at least on its con- 
fines. Under such circumstances, when each day actually 
produced new scenes, promising still greater novelties, few 
bethought them of Spain, unless it were in connection with 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


309 


the glory of returning to her, successful and triumphant. 
Even Luis dwelt less intently in his thoughts on Mercedes, 
suffering her image, beautiful as it was, to be momentarily 
supplanted by the unusual spectacles that arose before his 
physical sight in such constant and unwearied succession. 
Little substantial, beyond the fertile soil and genial climate, 
offered, it is true, in the way of realizing all the bright ex- 
pectations of the adventurers in connection with pecuniary 
advantages ; but each moment was fraught with hope, and 
no one knew what a day would bring forth. 

Two agents were at length sent into the interior to make 
discoveries, and Columbus profited by the occasion to 
careen his vessels. About the time this mission was ex- 
pected to return, Luis sallied forth with a party of armed ' 
men to meet it, Sancho making one of his escort. The 
ambassadors were met on their way back at a short day’s 
march from the vessels, accompanied by a few of the 
natives, who were following with intense curiosity, expect- 
ing at each moment to see their unknown visitors take 
their flight toward heaven. A short halt was made for the 
purpose of refreshing themselves, after the two parties had 
joined ; and Sancho, as reckless of danger on the land as 
on the ocean, stalked into a village that lay near the halt- 
ing place. Llere he endeavored to make himself as agree- 
able to the inhabitants as one of his appearance very well 
could, by means of signs. Sancho figured in this little 
hamlet under some such advantages as those that are en- 
joyed in the country by a great man from town ; the spec- 
tators not being as yet sufficiently sophisticated to dis- 
tinguish between the cut of a doublet and the manner of 
wearing it, as between a clown and a noble. He had not 
been many minutes playing the grandee among these 
simple beings, when they seemed desirous of offering to 
him some mark of particular distinction. Presently, a man 
appeared, holding certain dark-looking and dried leaves, 
which he held out to the hero of the moment in a defer- 
ential manner, as a Turk would offer his dried sweetmeats, 
or an American his cake. Sancho was about to accept the 
present, though he would greatly have preferred a dobla, 
of which he had not seen any since the last received from 
the admiral, when a forward movement was made by most 
of the Cubans, who humbly, and^with emphasis, uttered 
the word “ tobacco ” — “tobacco.”* On this hint, the per- 
son who held forih the offering drew back, repeated the 
same word in an apologizing manner, and set about mak- 


3 IQ 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ing what, it was now plain, was termed a “ tobacco,” in the 
language of that country. This was soon effected by roll- 
ing up the leaves in the form of a rude cigar, when a “ to- 
bacco,” duly manufactured, was offered to the seaman. 
Sancho took the present, nodded his head condescendingly, 
repeated the words himself in the best manner he could, 
and thrust the “tobacco” into his pocket. This move- 
ment evidently excited some surprise among the specta- 
tors, but after a little consultation, one of them lighted an 
end of a roll, applied the other to his mouth, and began to 
puff forth volumes of a fragrant light smoke, not only to 
his own infinite satisfaction, but seemingly to that of all 
around him. Sancho attempted an imitation, which 
* resulted, as is common with the tyro in this accomplish- 
ment, in his reeling back to his party with the pallid 
countenance of an opium-chewer, and a nausea that he 
had not experienced since the day he first ventured be- 
yond the bar of Saltes, to issue on the troubled surface of 
the Atlantic. 

This little scene might be termed the introduction of 
the well-known American weed into civilized society, 
the misapprehension of the Spaniards, touching the ap- 
pellation, transferring the name of the roll to the plant 
itself. Thus did Sancho, of the ship-yard gate, become 
the first Christian tobacco smoker, an accomplishment in 
which he was so soon afterward rivalled by some of the 
greatest men of his age, and which has extended down to 
our own times. 

On the return of his agents, Columbus again sailed, 
pushing his way along the north shore of Cuba. While 
struggling against the trades, with a view to get to the 
eastward, he found the wind too fresh, and determined to 
bear up for a favorite haven in the island of Cuba, that he 
had named Puerto del Principe. With this view a signal 
was made to call the Pinta down, that vessel being far to 
windward ; and, as night was near, lights were carried in 
order to enable Martin Alonzo to close with his com- 
mander. The next morning, at the dawn of day, when 
Columbus came on deck, he cast a glance around him, 
and beheld the Nina, hove-to under his lee, but no signs of 
the other caravel. 

“ Have none seen the Pinta?” demanded the admiral, 
hastily, of Sancho, who stood at the helm. 

“ Senor, / did, as long as eyes could see a vessel that 
was striving to get out of view. Master Martin Alonzo 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 11 

hath disappeared in the eastern board, while we have been 
lying-to, here, in waiting for him to come down.” 

Columbus now perceived that he was deserted by the 
very man who had once shown so much zeal in his behalf, 
and who had given, in the act, new proof of the manner in 
which friendship vanishes before self-interest and cupidity. 
There had been among the adventurers many reports of 
the existence of gold mines, obtained from the descriptions 
of the natives ; and the admiral made no doubt that his 
insubordinate follower had profited by the superior sailing 
of his caravel, to keep the wind, in the expectation to be 
the first to reach the Eldorado of their wishes. As the 
weather still continued unfavorable, however, the Santa 
Maria and the Nina returned to port, where they waited for 
a change. This separation occurred on the 21st of Novem- 
ber, at which moment the expedition had not advanced be- 
yond the north coast of Cuba. 

From this time until the sixth of the following month, 
Columbus continued his examination of this noble island, 
when he crossed what has since been termed the “ wind- 
ward passage,” and first touched on the shores of Hayti. 
All this time, there had been as much communication as 
circumstances would allow, with the aborigines, the Span- 
iards making friends wherever they went, as a consequence 
of the humane and prudent measures of the admiral. It is 
true that violence had been done, in a few instances, by 
seizing half a dozen individuals in order to carry them to 
Spain, as offerings to Dona Isabella ; but this act was easily 
reconcilable to usage in that age* equally on account of the 
deference thatw T as paid to the kingly authority, and on the 
ground that the seizures were for the good of the captives’ 
souls. 

The adventurers were more delighted with the bold, and 
yet winning aspect of Hayti, than they had been with even 
the adjacent island of Cuba. The inhabitants were found 
to be handsomer and more civilized than any they had yet 
seen, while they retained the gentleness and docility that 
had proved so pleasing to the admiral. Gold, also, was seen 
among them in considerable quantities ; and the Spaniards 
set on foot a trade of some extent, in which the usual in- 
centive of civilized man was the great aim of one side, and 
hawk’s-bells appear to have been the principal desideratum 
with the other. 

In this manner, and in making hazardous advances along 
the coast, the admiral was occupied until the 20th of the 


312 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


month, when he reached a point that was said to be in the 
vicinity of the residence of the Great Cacique of all that 
portion of the island. This prince, whose name, as spelt 
by the Spaniards, was Guacanagari, had many tributary 
caciques, and was understood, from the half-intelligible de- 
scriptions of his subjects, to be a monarch that was much 
beloved. On the 22d, while still lying in the Bay of Acul, 
where the vessels had anchored two days previously, a large 
canoe was seen entering the haven. It was shortly after 
announced to the admiral that this boat contained an am- 
bassador from the Great Cacique, who brought presents 
from his master, with a request that the vessels would move 
a league or two further east, and anchor off the town in- 
habited by the prince himself. The wind preventing an 
immediate compliance, a messenger was despatched with 
a suitable answer, and the ambassador returned. Fatigued 
with idleness, anxious to see more of the interior, and im- 
pelled by a constitutional love of adventure, Luis, who had 
struck up a hasty friendship with a young man called Mat- 
tinao, who attended the ambassador, asked permission to 
accompany him, taking his passage in the canoe. Colum- 
bus gave his consent to this proposal with a good deal of 
reluctance, the rank and importance of our hero inducing 
him to avoid the consequences of any treachery or acci- 
dent. The importunity of Luis finally prevailed, however, 
and he departed with many injunctions to be discreet, being 
frequently admonished of the censure that would await the 
admiral in the event of anything serious occurring. As a 
precaution, too, Sancho Mundowas directed to accompany 
the young man, in this chivalrous adventure, in the capacity 
of an esquire. 

No weapon more formidable than a blunt arrow having 
yet been seen in the hands of the natives, the young Count 
de Llera declined taking his mail, going armed only with 
a trusty sword, the temper of which had been tried on 
many a Moorish corselet and helm, in his foot encounters, 
and protected by a light buckler. An arquebuse had been 
put into his hand, but he refused it, as a weapon unsuited 
to knightly hands, and as betraying a distrust that was not 
merited by the previous conduct of the natives. Sancho, 
however, was less scrupulous, and accepted the weapon. 
In order, moreover, to divert the attention of his followers 
from a concession that the admiral felt to be a departure 
from his own rigid laws, Luis and his companions landed, 
and entered the canoe at a point concealed from the vessels. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 T 3 

in order that their absence might not be known. It is 
owing to these circumstances, as well as to the general 
mystery that was thrown about the connection of the 
young grandee with the expedition, that the occurrences 
we are about to relate were never entered by the admiral 
in his journal, and have consequently escaped the prying 
eyes of the various historians who have subsequently 
collected so much from that pregnant document. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

“ Thou seemest to fancy’s eye 

An animated blossom born in air ; 

Which breathes and bourgeons in the golden sky, 
And sheds its odors there. ’’^-Sutermeister. 


Notwithstanding his native resolution, and an indiffer- 
ence to danger that amounted to recklessness, Lois did 
not find himself alone with the Haytians without, at least, 
a lively consciousness of the novelty of his situation. Still, 
nothing occurred to excite uneasiness, and he continued 
his imperfect communications with his new friends, occa- 
sionally throwing in a remark to Sancho, in Spanish, who 
merely wanted encouragement to discourse by the hour. 
Instead of following the boat of the Santa Maria, on board 
which the ambassador had embarked, the canoe pushed on 
several leagues further east, it being understood that Luis 
was not to present himself in the town of Guacanagari, 
until after the arrival of the ships, when he was to rejoin 
his comrades stealthily, or in away not to attract attention. 

Our hero would not have been a true lover, had he re- 
mained indifferent to the glories of the natural scenery 
that lay spread before his eyes, as he thus coasted the 
shores of Espanola. The boldness of the landscape, as in 
the Mediterranean, was relieved by the softness of a low 
latitude, which throws some such witchery around rocks 
and promontories, as a sunny smile lends to female beauty. 
More than once did he burst out into exclamations of 
delight, and as often did Sancho respond in the same 
temper, if not exactly in the same language ; the latter 
conceiving it to be a sort of duty to echo all that the young 
noble said, in the way of poetry. 

“ J take it, Seiior Conde,” observed the seaman, when 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 r 4 

they had reached a spot several leagues beyond that where 
the launch of the ship had put to shore, “ I take it for 
granted, Senor Conde, that your Excellency knoweth 
whither these naked gentry are paddling, all this timre. 
They seem in a hurry, and have a port in their minds, if it 
be not in view.” 

“ Art thou uneasy, friend Sancho, that thou puttest thy 
question thus earnestly ? ” 

“ If I am, Don Luis, it is altogether on account of the 
family of Bobadilla, which would lose its head, did any 
mishap befall your Excellency. What is it to Sancho, of 
the ship-yard gate, whether he is married to some princess 
in Cipango, and gets to be adopted by the Great Khan, or 
whether he is an indifferent mariner out of Moguer ? It is 
very much as if one should offer him the choice between 
wearing a doublet and eating garlic, and going naked on 
sweet fruits and a full stomach. I take it, Senor, your 
Excellency would not willingly exchange the castle of 
Llera for the palace of this Great Cacique ? ” 

“ Thou art right, Sancho ; even rank must depend on 
the state of society in which we live. A Castilian noble 
cannot envy a Haytian sovereign.” 

“ More especially, since my lord, the Senor Don Almir- 
ante, hath publicly proclaimed that our gracious lady, the 
Dona Isabella, is henceforth and forever to be queen over 
him,” returned Sancho, with a knowing glance of the eye. 
“ Little do these worthy people understand the honor that 
is in store for them, and least of all, his Highness, King 
Guacanagari ! ” 

“ Hush, Sancho, and keep thy unpleasant intimations in 
thine own breast. Our friends turn the head of the canoe 
toward yonder river’s mouth, and seem bent on landing.” 

Bv this time, indeed, the natives had coasted as far as 
they intended, and were turning in toward the entrance of 
a small stream, which, taking its rise among the noble 
mountains that were grouped inland, found its way through 
a smiling valley to the ocean. This stream was neither 
broad nor deep, but it contained far more than water suffi- 
cient for any craft used by the natives. Its banks were 
fringed with bushes ; and as they glided up it, Luis saw 
fifty sites where he thought he could be content to pass 
his life, provided, always, that it might possess the advan- 
tage of Mercedes’ presence. It is scarcely necessary to 
add, too, that in all these scenes he fancied his mistress at- 
tired in the velvets and laces that were then so much used 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3^5 


by high-born dames, and that he saw her natural grace 
embellished by the courtly ease and polished accessories 
of one who lived daily, if not hourly, in the presence of 
her royal mistress. 

As the canoe shut in the coast, by entering between the 
two points that formed the river’s mouth, Sancho pointed 
out to the young noble a small fleet of canoes, that was 
coming down before the wind from the eastward, appar- 
ently bound, like so many more they had seen that day, to 
the Bay of Acul, on a visit to the wonderful strangers. 
The natives in the canoe also beheld this little flotilla, 
which was driving before the wind under cotton sails, and 
by their smiles and signs showed that they gave it the 
same destination. About this time, too, or just as they en- 
tered the mouth of the stream, Mattinao drew from under 
a light cotton robe, that he occasionally wore, a thin cir- 
clet of pure gold, which he placed upon his head, in the 
manner of a coronet. This, Luis knew, was a token that 
he was a cacique, one of those who were tributary to 
Guacanagari, and he arose to salute him at this evidence 
of his rank, an act that was imitated by all of the Haytians 
also. From this assumption of state, Luis rightly imagined 
that Mattinao had now entered within the limits of a terri- 
tory that acknowledged his will. From the moment that 
the young cacique threw aside his incognito, he ceased to 
paddle, but, assuming an air of authority and dignity, he 
attempted to converse with his guest in the best manner 
their imperfect means of communication would allow. He 
often pronounced the word, Ozema, and Luis inferred 
from the manner in which he used it, that it was the name 
of a favorite wife, it having been already ascertained by 
the Spaniards, or at least it was thought to be ascertained, 
that the caciques indulged in polygamy, while they rigidly 
restricted their subjects to one wife. 

The canoe ascended the river several miles, until it 
reached one of those tropical valleys in which nature seems 
to expend her means of rendering this earth inviting. 
While the scenery had much of the freedom of a wilder- 
ness, the presence of man for centuries had deprived it of 
all its ruder and more savage features. Like those who 
tenanted it, the spot possessed the perfection of native 
grace, unfettered and uninvaded by any of the more elab- 
orate devices of human expedients. The dwellings were 
not without beauty, though simple as the wants of their 
owners ; the flowers bloomed in midwinter, and the gener- 


3 l6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ous branches still groaned with the weight of their nutri- 
tious and palatable fruits. 

Mattinao was received by his people with an eager curi- 
osity, blended with profound respect. His mild subjects 
crowded around Luis and Sancho, with some such wonder 
as a civilized man would gaze at one of the prophets, were 
he to return to earth in the flesh. They had heard of the 
arrival of the ships, but they did not the less regard their 
inmates as visitors from heaven. This, probably, was not 
the opinion of the more elevated in rank, for, even in the 
savage state, the vulgar mind is far from being that of the 
favored few. Whether it was owing to this greater facility 
of character, and to habits that more easily adapted them- 
selves to the untutored notions of the Indians, or to their 
sense of propriety, Sancho soon became the favorite with 
the multitude ; leaving the Count of Llera more especially 
to the care of Mattinao, and the principal men of his tribe. 
Owing to this circumstance, the two Spaniards were soon 
separated, Sancho being led away by the oi polloi to a sort 
of square in the centre of the village, leaving Don Luis in 
the habitation of the cacique. 

No sooner did Mattinao find himself in the company of 
our hero, and that of two of his confidential chiefs, than 
the name of Ozema was repeated eagerly among the In- 
dians. A rapid conversation followed, a messenger was 
despatched, Luis knew not whither, and then the chiefs 
took their departure, leaving the young Castilian alone 
with the cacique. Laying aside his golden band, and 
placing a cotton robe about his person, which had hither- 
to been nearly naked, Mattinao made a sign for his com- 
panion to follow him, and left the building. Throwing 
the buckler over his shoulder, and adjusting the belt of his 
sword in a way that the weapon should not incommode 
him in walking, Luis obeyed with as much confidence as 
he would have followed a friend along the streets of Se- 
ville. 

Mattinao led the way through a wilderness of sweets, 
where tropical plants luxuriated beneath the branches of 
trees loaded with luscious fruits, holding his course by a 
foot-path which lay on the banks of a torrent that flowed 
from a ravine, and poured its waters into the river below. 
The distance he went might have been half a mile. Here 
he reached a cluster of rustic dwellings that occupied a 
lovely terrace on a hill-side, where they overlooked the 
larger town below the river, and commanded a view of the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 J 7 


distant ocean. Luis saw at a glance that this sweet retreat 
was devoted to the uses of the gentler sex, and he doubted 
not that it formed a species of seraglio, set apart for the 
wives of the young cacique. He was led into one of the 
principal dwellings, where the simple but grateful refresh- 
ments used by the natives, were again offered to him. 

The intercourse of a month had not sufficed to render 
either party very familiar with the language of the other. 
A few of the commoner words of the Indians had been 
caught by the Spaniards, and perhaps Luis was one of the 
most ready in their use ; still, it is highly probable he was 
oftener wrong than right, even when he felt the most con- 
fident of his success. But the language of friendship is 
not easily mistaken, and ouf hero had not entertained a 
feeling of distrust from the time he left the ships, down 
to the present moment. 

Mattinao had despatched a messenger to an adjacent 
dwelling when he entered that in which Luis was now en- 
tertained, and when sufficient time had been given for the 
last to refresh himself, the cacique arose, and by a cour- 
teous gesture, such as might have become a master of cer- 
emonies in the court of Isabella, he again invited the 
young grandee to follow. They took their way along the 
terrace, to a house larger than common, and which evi- 
dently contained several subdivisions, as they entered into 
a sort of anteroom. Here they remained but a minute ; 
the •cacique, after a short parley with a female, removing 
a curtain ingeniously made of sea-weed, and leading the 
way to an inner apartment. It had but a single occupant, 
whose character Luis fancied to be announced in the use 
of the single word “ Ozema,” that the cacique uttered in 
a low, affectionate tone, as they entered. Luis bowed to 
this Indian beauty, as profoundly as he could have made 
his reverence to a high-born damsel of Spain ; then, re- 
covering himself, he fastened one long, steady look of ad- 
miration on the face of the curious but half-frightened 
young creature who stood before him, and exclaimed, in 
such tones as only indicate rapture, admiration, and as- 
tonishment mingled — 

“ Mercedes ! ” 

The young cacique repeated this name in the best 
manner he could, evidently mistaking it for a Spanish 
term to express admiration, or satisfaction ; while the 
trembling young thing, who was the subject of all this 
wonder, shrunk back a step, blushed, laughed, and mut- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3i8 

tered, in her soft, low, musical voice, “ Mercedes, as the 
innocent take up and renew any source of their harmless 
pleasures. She then stood, with her arms folded meekly 
on her bosom, resembling a statue of wonder. But it may 
be necessary to explain why, at a moment so peculiar, the 
thoughts and tongue of Luis had so suddenly resorted to 
his mistress. In order to do this, we shall first attempt a 
short description of the person and appearance of Ozema, 
as was, in fact, the name of the Indian beauty. 

All the accounts agree in describing the aborigines of 
the West Indies as being singularly well formed, and of a 
natural grace in their movements, that extorted a common 
admiration among the Spaniards. Their color was not 
unpleasant, and the inhabitants of Hayti, in particular, 
were said to be very little darker than the people of Spain. 
Those who were but little exposed to the bright sun of 
that climate, and who dwelt habitually beneath the shades 
of groves, or in the retirement of their dwellings, like per- 
sons of similar habits in Europe, might, by comparison, 
have even been termed fair. Such was the fact with Ozema, 
who, instead of being the wife of the young cacique, was 
his only sister. According to the laws of Hayti, the 
authority of a cacique was transmitted through females, 
and a son of Ozema was looked forward to, as the heir of 
his uncle. Owing to this fact, and to the circumstance 
that the true royal line, if a term so dignified can be applied 
to a state of society so simple, was reduced to these kwo 
individuals, Ozema had been more than usually fostered 
by the tribe, leaving her free from care, and as little ex- 
posed to hardships, as at all comported with the condition 
of her people. She had reached her eighteenth year, 
without .having experienced any of those troubles and ex- 
posures which are more or less the inevitable companions 
of savage life ; though it was remarked by the Spaniards 
that all the Indians they had yet seen seemed more than 
usually free from evils of this character. They owed this 
exception to the generous quality of the soil, the genial 
warmth of the climate, and the salubrity of the air. In a 
word, Ozema, in her person, possessed just those advan- 
tages that freedom from restraint, native graces, and wild 
luxuriance might be supposed to lend the female form, 
under the advantages of a mild climate, a healthful and 
simple diet, and perfect exemption from exposure, care, or 
toil. It would not have been difficult to fancy Eve such a 
creature, when she first appeared to Adam, fresh from the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


319 


hands of her divine Creator, modest, artless, timid, and 
perfect. 

The Haytiana used a scanty dress, though it shocked 
none of their opinions to go forth in the garb of nature. 
Still, few of rank were seen without some pretensions to 
attire, which was worn rather as an ornament, or mark of 
distinction, than as necessary either to usage or comfort. 
Ozema, herself, formed no exception to the general rule, 
A cincture of Indian cloth, woven in gay colors, circled 
her slender waist, and fell nearly as low as her knees ; a 
robe of spotless cotton, inartificially made, but white as 
the driven snow, and of a texture so fine that it might have 
shamed many of the manufactures of our own days, fell 
like a scarf across a shoulder, and was loosely united at 
the opposite side, dropping in folds nearly to the ground. 
Sandals, of great ingenuity and beauty, protected the soles 
of feet that a queen might have envied ; and a large plate 
of pure gold, rudely wrought, was suspended from her 
neck by a string of small but gorgeous shells. Bracelets 
of the latter were on her pretty wrists, and two light bands 
of gold encircled ankles that were as faultless as those of 
the Venus of Naples. In that region, the fineness of the 
hair was thought the test of birth, with better reason than 
many imagine the feet and hands to be, in civilized life. 
As power and rank had passed from female to female in 
her family, for several centuries, the hair of Ozema was 
silken, soft, waving, exuberant, and black as jet. It covered 
her shoulders like a glorious mantle, and fell as low as her 
simple cincture. So light and silken was this natural veil, 
that its ends waved in the gentle current of air that was 
rather breathing than blowing through the apartment. 

Although this extraordinary creature was much the love- 
liest specimen of young womanhood that Luis had seen 
among the wild beauties of the islands, it was not so much 
her graceful and well-rounded form, or even the charms of 
face and expression, that surprised him, as a decided and 
accidental resemblance to* the being he had left in Spain, 
and who had so long been the idol of his heart. This re- 
semblance alone had caused him to utter the name of his 
mistress, in the manner related. Could the two have been 
placed together, it would have been easy to detect marked 
points of difference between them, without being reduced 
to compare the intellectual and thoughtful expression of 
our heroine’s countenance with the wondering, doubting, 
half-startled look of Ozema ; but still the general likeness 


320 , 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


was so strong, that no person who was familiar with the 
face of one, could fail to note it on meeting with the other. 
Side by'side, it would have been discovered that the face 
of Mercedes had the advantage in fineness and delicacy ; 
that her features and brow were nobler ; her eye more il- 
luminated by the intelligence within ; her smile more ra- 
diant with thought and the feelings of a cultivated woman ; 
her blush more sensitive, betraying most of the conscious- 
ness of conventional habits ; and that the expression gen- 
erally was much more highly cultivated than that which 
sprung from the artless impulses and limited ideas of the 
young Haytian. Nevertheless, in mere beauty, in youth, 
and tint, and outline, the disparity was scarcely percep- 
tible, while the resemblance was striking ; and, on the 
score of animation, native frankness, ingenuousness, and 
all that witchery which ardent and undisguised feeling 
lends to woman, many might have preferred the confiding 
abandon of the beautiful young Indian, to the more trained 
and dignified reserve of the Castilian heiress. What in 
the latter was earnest, high-souled, native, but religious 
enthusiasm, in the other was merely the outpourings of un- 
guided impulses, which, however feminine in their origin, 
were but little regulated in their indulgence. 

“ Mercedes ! ” exclaimed our hero, when this vision of 
Indian loveliness unexpectedly broke on his sight. “ Mer- 
cedes ! ” repeated Mattinao ; “ Mercedes ! ” murmured 
Ozema, recoiling a step, blushing, laughing, and then re- 
suming her innocent confidence, as she several times ut- 
tered the same word, which she also mistook for an expres- 
sion of admiration, in her own low, melodious voice. 

Conversation being out of the question, there remained 
nothing for the parties but to express their feelings by 
signs and acts of amity. Luis had not come on his little 
expedition unprovided with presents. Anticipating an in- 
terview with the wife of the cacique, he had brought up 
from the village below, several articles that he supposed 
might suit her untutored fancy. * But the moment he be- 
held the vision that actually stood before him, they all 
seemed unworthy of such a being. In one of his onsets 
against the Moors, he had brought off a turban of rich but 
light cloth, and he had kept it as a trophy, occasionally 
wearing it, in his visits to the shore, out of pure caprice, 
and as a sort of ornament that might well impose on the 
simple-minded natives. These vagaries excited no remarks, 
as mariners are apt to indulge their whims in this manner. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


321 


when far from the observations of those to whom they 
habitually defer. This turban was on his head at the mo- 
ment lie entered the apartment of Ozema, and, overcome 
with the delight of finding so unexpected a resemblance, 
and, possibly, excited by so unlooked-for an exhibition of 
feminine loveliness, he gallantly unrolled it, threw out the 
folds of rich cloth, and cast it over the shoulders of the 
beautiful Ozema as a mantle. 

The expressions of gratitude and delight that escaped 
this unsophisticated young creature, were warm, sincere, 
and undisguised. She cast the ample robe on the ground 
before her, repeated the word “ Mercedes ” again and 
again, and manifested her pleasure with all the warmth of 
a generous and ingenuous nature. If we were to say that 
this display of Ozema was altogether free from the child- 
like rapture that was, perhaps, inseparable from her ignor- 
ance, it would be attributing to her benighted condition 
the experience and regulated feelings of advanced civiliza- 
tion ; but, notwithstanding the guileless simplicity with 
which she betrayed her emotions, her delight was not 
without much of the dignity and tone that usually mark 
the conduct of the superior classes all over the world. 
Luis fancied it as graceful as it was naive and charming. 
He endeavored to imagine the manner in which the Lady 
of Valverde might receive an offering of precious stones 
from the gracious hands of Dona Isabella, and he even 
thought it very possible that the artless grace of Ozema 
was not far behind what he knew would be the meek self- 
respect, mingled with grateful pleasure, that Mercedes could 
not fail to exhibit. 

While thoughts like these were passing through his 
mind, the Indian girl laid aside her own less enticing robe, 
.without a thought of shame, and then she folded her fault- 
less form in the cloth of the turban. This was no sooner 
done, with a grace and freedom peculiar to her unfettered 
mind, than she drew the necklace of shells from her person, 
and, advancing a step or two toward our hero, extended 
the offering with a half-averted face, though the laughing 
and willing eyes more than supplied the place of lan- 
guage. Luis accepted the gift with suitable eagerness, 
nor did .he refrain from using the Castilian gallantry of 
kissing tlie pretty hand from which he took the bauble. 

The cacique, who had been a pleased spectator of all 
that passed, now signed for the count to follow him, lead- 
ing the way toward another dwelling. Llere Don Luis was 
21 


3 22 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


introduced to other young females, and to two or three 
children, the former of whom, he soon discovered, were 
the wives of Mattinao, and the latter his offspring. By 
dint of gestures, a few words, and such other means of 
explanation as were resorted to between the Spaniards 
and the natives, he now succeeded in ascertaining the real 
affinity which existed . between the cacique and Ozema. 
Our hero felt a sensation like pleasure when he discov* 
ered that the Indian beauty was not married ; and he was 
fain to refer the feeling, perhaps justly, to a sort of jealous 
sensitiveness that grew out of her resemblance to Mer- 
cedes. 

The remainder of that, and the whole of the three fol- 
lowing days, were passed by Luis with his friend, the 
cacique, in this, the favorite and sacred residence of the 
latter. Of course our hero was, if anything, a subject of 
greater interest to all his hosts, than they could possibly 
be to him. They took a thousand innocent liberties with 
his person : examining his dress, and the ornaments he 
wore, not failing to compare the whiteness of his skin with 
the redder tint of that of Mattinao. On these occasions 
Ozema was the most reserved and shy, though her look fol- 
lowed every movement, and her pleased countenance de- 
noted the interest she felt in all that concerned the stranger. 
Hours at a time, did Luis lie stretched on fragrant mats 
near this artless and lovely creature, studying the way- 
ward expression of her features, in the fond hope of see- 
ing stronger and stronger resemblances to Mercedes, and 
sometimes losing himself in that which was peculiarly her 
own. In the course of the time passed in these dwellings, 
efforts were made by the count to obtain some useful in- 
formation of the island ; and whether it was owing to her 
superior rank, or to a native superiority of mind, or to a 
charm of manner, he soon fancied that the cacique’s beau- 
tiful sister succeeded better in making him understand her 
meaning than either of the wives of Mattinao, or the cacique 
himself. To Ozema, then, Luis put most of his questions; 
and ere the day had passed, this quick-witted and attentive 
girl had made greater progress in opening an intelligible 
understanding between the adventurers and her country- 
men, than had been accomplished by the communications 
of the two previous months. She caught the* Spanish 
words with a readiness that seemed instinctive, pronouncing 
them with an accent that only rendered them prettier and 
softer to the car. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 2 3 

Luis de Bobadilla was just as good a Catholic as a rigid 
education, a wandering life, and the habits of the camp 
would be apt to make one of his rank, years, and tempera- 
ment. Still, that was an age in which most laymen had a 
deep reverence for religion, whether they actually sub- 
mitted to its purifying influence or not. If there were any 
free-thinkers at ail, they existed principally among those 
who passed their lives in their closets, or were to be found 
among the churchmen themselves, who often used the 
cowl as a hood to conceal their infidelity. His close asso- 
ciation with Columbus, too, had contributed to strengthen 
our hero’s tendency to believe in the constant supervision 
of Providence ; and he now felt a strong inclination to 
fancy that this extraordinary facility of Ozema’s in acquir- 
ing languages, was one of its semi-miraculous provisions, 
made with a view to further the introduction of the religion 
of the cross among her people. Often did he flatter him- 
self, as he sat gazing into the sparkling and yet mild eyes 
of the girl, listening to her earnest efforts to make him 
comprehend her meaning, that he was to be the instrument 
of bringing about this great good, through so young and 
charming an agent. The admiral had also enjoined on 
him the importance of ascertaining, if possible, the position 
of the mines, and he had actually succeeded in making 
Ozema comprehend his questions on a subject that was 
all-engrossing with most of the Spaniards. Her answers 
were less intelligible, but Luis thought they never could 
be sufficiently full ; flattering himself, the whole time, that 
he was only laboring to comply with the wishes of Co- 
lumbus. 

The day after his arrival, our hero was treated to an ex- 
hibition of some of the Indian games. These sports have 
been too often described to need repetition here ; but, in 
all their movements and exercises, which were altogether 
pacific, the young princess was conspicuous for grace and 
skill. Luis, too, was required to show his powers, and 
being exceedingly athletic and active, he easily bore away 
the palm from his friend Mattinao. The young cacique 
manifested neither jealousy nor disappointment at this 
result, while his sister laughed and clapped her hands 
with delight, when he was outdone, even at his own sports, 
by the greater strength or greater efforts of his guest. 
More than once the wives of Mattinao seemed to utter 
gentle reproaches at this exuberance of feeling, but Ozema 
answered with smiling taunts, and Luis thought her, at 


3 2 4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


such moments, more beautiful than even imagination could 
draw, and perhaps with justice ; for her cheeks were 
flushed, her eyes became as brilliant as ornaments of jet, 
and the teeth that were visible between lips like cherries, 
resembled rows of ivory. We have said that the eyes of 
Ozema were black, differing, in this particular, from the 
deep-blue, melancholy orbs of the enthusiastic Mercedes ; 
but still they were alike, so often uttering the same feel- 
ings, more especially touching matters in which Luis was 
concerned. More than once, during the trial of strength, 
did the young man fancy that the expression of the rapture 
which fairly danced in the eyes of Ozema, was the very 
counterpart of that of the deep-seated delight which had 
so often beamed on him, from the glances of Mercedes, in 
the tourney ; and, at such times, it struck him that the 
resemblance between the two was so strong as, after some 
allowance had been made for dress, and other sufficiently 
striking circumstances, to render them almost identical. 

The reader is not to suppose from this that our hero was 
actually inconstant to his ancient love. Far from it. Mer- 
cedes was too deeply enshrined in his heart — and Luis, 
with all his faults, was as warm-hearted and true-hearted a 
cavalier as breathed— to be so easily dispossessed. But 
he was young, distant from her he had so long adored, and 
was, withal, not altogether insensible to admiration so art- 
lessly and willingly betrayed by the Indian girl. Had there 
been the least immodest glance, any proof that art or 
design lay at the bottom of Ozema’s conduct, he would at 
once have taken the alarm, and been completely disen- 
thralled from his temporary delusion ; but, on the con- 
trary, all was so frank arid natural with this artless girl ; 
when she most betrayed the hold he had taken of her 
imagination, it was done with a simplicity so obvious, a 
naivete so irrepressible, and an ingenuousness so clearly the 
fruit of innocence, that it was impossible to suspect artifice. 
In a word, our hero merely showed that he was human, by 
yielding in a certain degree to a fascination that, under the 
circumstances, might well have made deeper inroads on 
the faith even of men who enjoyed much better reputations 
for stability of purpose. 

In situations of so much novelty, time flies swiftly, and 
Luis himself was astonished when, on looking back, he re- 
membered that he had now been several days with Mat- 
tinao, most of which period had actually been passed in 
what might not inaptly be termed the seraglio of the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


325 


cacique. Sancho of the ship-yard-gate had not been in the 
least neglected all this time. He had been a hero, in his 
own circle, as well as the young noble, nor had he been at 
all forgetful of his duty on the subject of searching for 
gold. Though he had neither acquired a single word of 
the Haytian language, nor taught a syllable of Spanish to 
even one of the laughing nymphs who surrounded him, he 
had decorated the persons of many of them with hawk’s- 
bells, and had contrived to abstract from them, in return, 
every ornament that resembled the precious metal, which 
they possessed. This transfer, no doubt, was honestly 
effected, however, having been made on that favorite prin- 
ciple of the free-trade theorists, which maintains that trade 
is merely an exchange of equivalents ; overlooking all the 
adverse circumstances which may happen, just at the mo- 
ment, to determine the standard of value. Sancho had his 
notions of commerce as well as the modern philosophers, 
and, as he and Luis occasionally met during their sojourn 
with Mattinao, he revealed a few of his opinions on this 
interesting subject in one of their interviews. 

“I perceive thou hast not forgotten thy passion for 
doblas, friend Sancho,” said Luis, laughing, as the old sea- 
man exhibited the store of dust and golden plates he had 
collected ; “there is sufficient of the metal in thy sack to 
coin a score of them, each having the royal countenances 
of our lord the King, and our lady the Queen ! ” 

“Double that, Sefior Conde ; just double that; and all 
for the price of some seventeen hawk’s-bells, that cost but 
a handful of maravedis. By the mass ! this is a most just 
and holy trade, and such as it becomes us Christians to 
carry on. Here are these savages, they think no more of 
gold than your Excellency thinks of a dead Moor, and to 
be revenged on them, I hold a hawk’s-bell just as cheap. 
Let them think as poorly as they please of their ornaments 
and yellow dust, they will find me. just as willing to part 
with the twenty hawk’s-bells that remain. Let them bar- 
ter away, they will find me as ready as they possibly can 
be, to give nothing for nothing.” 

“ Is this quite honest, Sancho, to rob an Indian of his 
gold, in exchange for a bauble that copper so easily pur- 
chaseth ? Remember thou art a Castilian, and henceforth 
give two hawk’s-bells, where thou hast hitherto given but 
one." 

“ I never forget my birth, Sefior, for happily the ship- 
yard of Moguer is in old Spain. Is not the value of a 


3 26 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


thing to be settled by what it will bring in the market ? 
ask any of our traders and they wfill tell you this, which is 
clear as the sun in the heavens. When the Venetians lay 
before Candia, grapes, and figs, and Greek wine could be 
had for the asking in that island, while western articles 
commanded any price. Oh, nothing is plainer than the 
fact that everything hath its price, and it is real trade to 
give one worthless commodity for another.” 

“ If it be honest to profit by the ignorance of another,” 
answered Luis, who had a nobleman’s contempt for com- 
merce, “then it is just to deceive the child and the idiot.” 

“God forbid, and especially St. Andrew, my patron, 
that I should do anything so wicked. Hawk’s-bells are of 
more account than gold, in Hayti, Senor, and, happening 
to, know it, 1 am willing to part with the precious things 
for the dross. You see I am generous instead of being 
avaricious, for all parties are in Hayti, where the value of 
the articles must be settled. It is true, that after running 
great risks at sea, and*undergoing great pains and chances, 
by carrying this gold to Spain, I may be requited for my 
trouble, and get enough benefit to make an honest liveli- 
hood. I hope Dona Isabella will have so much feeling for 
these, her new subjects, as to prevent their ever goinginto 
the shipping business — a most laborious and dangerous 
calling, as we both well know.” 

“ And why art thou so particular in desiring this favor 
in behalf of these poor islanders, and that, too, Sancho, at 
the expense of thine own bones ?” 

“Simply, Senor,” answered the knave, with a cunning 
leer, “ lest it unsettle trade, which ought to be as free and 
unencumbered as possible. Here, now, if we Spaniards 
come to Hayti, we sell one haw T k’s-bell for a dobla in gold ; 
whereas, were we to give these savages the trouble to come 
to Spain, a dobla of their gold would buy a hundred hawk’s- 
bells ! No — no — it is right as it is ; and may a double al- 
lowance of purgatory be the lot of him who wishes to throw 
any difficulties in the way of a good, honest, free, and 
civilizing trade, say I.” 

Sancho was thus occupied in explaining his notions of 
free trade — the great mystification of modern philanthro- 
pists — when there arose such a cry in the village of Mat- 
tinao, as is only heard in moments of extreme jeopardy and 
sudden terror. The conversation took place in the grove, 
about midway between the town and the private dwellings 
of the cacique ; and so implicit had become the confidence 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 2 7 

the two Spaniards reposed in their friends, that neither 
had any other arms about his person, than those furnished 
by nature. Luis had left both sword and buckler, half an 
hour earlier, at the feet of Ozeina, who had been enacting 
a mimic hero, with his weapons, for their mutual diversion', 
while Sancho had founcf the arquebuse much too heavy to 
be carried about for a plaything. The last was deposited 
in the room where he had taken up his comfortable quar- 
ters. 

“Can this mean treachery, Senor?” exclaimed Sancho. 
“ Have these blackguards found out the true value of 
liawk’s-bells, after all, and do they mean to demand the 
balance due them ? ” 

“ My life on it, Mattinao and all his people are true, 
Sancho. This uproar hath a different meaning — hark ! is 
not that the cry of ‘ Caonabo ? ’ ” 

“The very same, Senor ! That is the name of the Carib 
cacique, who is the terror of all these tribes.” 

“ Thy arquebuse, Sancho, if possible; then join me at 
the dwellings above. Ozema and the wives of our good 
friend must be defended at every hazard ! ” 

Luis had no sooner given these orders than he and 
Sancho separated, the latter turning toward the town, which, 
by this time was a scene of wild tumult, while our hero, 
slowly and sullenly, retired toward the private dwellings of 
the cacique, occasionally looking back, as if he longed to 
plunge into the thickest of the fray. Twenty times did he 
wish for his favorite charger and a stout lance, when, in- 
deed, it would not have been an extraordinary feat for a 
knight of his prowess to put to flight a thousand enemies 
like those who now menaced him. Often had he singly 
broken whole ranks of Christian foot-soldiers, and it is 
well known that solitary individuals, when mounted, sub- 
sequently drove hundreds of the natives before them. 

The alarm reached the dwelling of Mattinao before our 
hero. When he entered the house of Ozema, he found its 
mistress surrounded by fifty females, some of whom had 
already ascended from the town below, each of whom was 
eagerly uttering the terrible name of “ Caonabo.” Ozema 
herself was the most collected of them all, though it was 
apparent that, from some cause, she was an object of par- 
ticular solicitude from those around her. As Luis entered 
the apartment, the wives of Mattinao were pressing around 
the princess ; and he soon gathered from their words and 
entreaties, that they urged her to fly, lest she should fall 


3 28 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


into the hands of the Carib chief. He even fancied, and 
he fancied it justly, that the rest of the females supposed 
the seizure of the cacique’s beautiful sister to be the real 
object of the sudden attack. This conjecture in no man- 
ner lessened Luis’ ardor in the defence. The moment 
Ozema caught sight of him, she flew to his side, clasping 
her hands, and uttering the name of “ Caonabo,” in a tone 
that would have melted a heart of stone. At the same 
time, her eyes spoke a language of hope, confidence, and 
petition that was not necessary to enlist our hero’s resolu- 
tion on her side. In a moment, the sword of the young 
cavalier was in his hand, and the buckler on his arm. He 
then assured the princess of his zeal, in the best manner he 
could, by placing the buckler before her throbbing breast, 
and waving the sword, as in defiance of her enemies : no 
sooner was this pledge given, than every other female dis- 
appeared, some flying to the rescue of their children, and 
all endeavoring to find places of concealment. By this 
singular and unexpected desertion, Luis found himself, for 
the first time since they had met, alone with Ozema. 

To remain in the house would be to suffer the enemy to 
approach unseen, and the shrieks and cries sufficiently an- 
nounced that, each moment, the danger grew nearer. Luis 
accordingly made a sign for the girl to follow him, first 
rolling the turban into a bundle and placing it on her arm, 
that it might serve her, at need, as a species of shield 
against the hostile arrows. While he was thus employed, 
Ozema’s head fell upon his breast, and the excited girl 
burst into tears. This display of weakness, however, lasted 
but a moment, when she aroused herself, smiled through 
her tears, pressed the arm of Luis convulsively, and became 
the Indian heroine again. They then left the building to- 
gether. 

Luis soon perceived that his retreat from the house had 
not been made a moment too soon. The family of Matti- 
nao had already disappeared, and a strong party of the in- 
vaders was in full view, rushing madly up the grove, silent, 
but evidently bent on seizing their prey. He felt Ozema, 
who clung to his arm, tremble violently, and then he heard 
her murmuring — 

“Caonabo— no — no — no ! ” 

The young Indian princess had caught the Spanish 
monosyllable of dissent, and Luis understood this exclama- 
tion to express her strong disinclination to become a wife 
of the Carib chief. His resolution to protect her or to die, 


3*9 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


was in no manner lessened by this involuntary betrayal of 
her feelings, which he could not but think might have some 
connection with himself ; for, while our hero was both 
honorable and generous, he was human, and, consequently, 
well disposed to take a favorable view of his own powers 
of pleasing. It was only in connection with Mercedes that 
Luis de Bobadilla was humble. 

A soldier almost from childhood, the young count looked 
hastily around him for a position that would favor his 
means of defence, and which would render his arms the 
most available. Luckily, one offered so near him, that it 
required but a minute to occupy it. The terrace lay against 
a precipice of rocks, and a hundred feet from the house, 
was a spot where the face of this precipice was angular, 
throwing forward a wall on each side to some distance, 
while the cliff above overhung the base sufficiently to re- 
move all danger from falling stones. In the angle were 
several large fragments of rock that would afford shelter 
against arrows, and, there being a sufficient space of green- 
sward before them, on which a knight might well display 
his prowess when in possession of this position, our hero 
felt himself strong, if not impregnable, since he could be 
assailed only in front. Ozemawas stationed behind one of 
the fragments of the fallen rocks, her person only half con- 
cealed, however, concern for Luis, and curiosity as related 
to her enemies, equally inducing her to expose her head 
and beautiful bust. 

Luis was scarcely in possession of this post, ere a dozen 
Indians were drawn up in a line at the distance of fifty 
yards in his front. They were armed with bows, war- 
clubs, and spears. Being without other defensive armor 
than his buckler, the young man would have thought his 
situation sufficiently critical, did he not know that the 
archery of the natives was anything but formidable. Their 
arrows would kill, certainly, when shot at short distances, 
and against the naked skin, but it might be questioned if 
they would penetrate the stout velvet in which Luis was 
encased, and fifty yards was not near enough to excite 
undue alarm. The young man did not dare to retreat to 
the rocks, as a clear space was indispensable for the free 
use of his good sword, and to that weapon alone he looked 
for his eventual triumph. 

It was, perhaps, fortunate for our hero that Caonabo 
himself was not with the party which beleaguered him. 
That redoubtable chieftain, who had been led to a distance 


330 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


in pursuit of the flying females, under a belief that she he 
sought was among them, would doubtless have brought 
the matter to an immediate issue by a desperate charge, 
when numbers might have prevailed against courage and 
skill. The actual assailants chose a different course, and 
began to poise their bows. One of the most skilful 
among them drew an arrow to the head, and let it fly. 
The missile glanced from the buckler of the knight, and 
struck the hill behind him, as lightly as if the parties had 
been at their idle sports. Another followed, and Luis 
turned it aside with his sword, disdaining to raise his 
shield against such a trifle. This cool manner of receiv- 
ing their assaults caused the Indians to raise a shout, 
whether in admiration or rage, Luis could not tell. 

The next attack was more judicious, being made on a 
principle that Napoleon is said to have adopted in direct- 
ing discharges of his artillery. All those who had bows, 
some six or eight, drew their arrows together, and the 
weapons came rattling on the buckler of the assailed in a 
single flight. It was not easy to escape altogether from 
such a combined assault, and our hero received one or 
two bruises from glancing arrows, though no blood fol- 
lowed the blows. A second attempt of the same nature 
was about to be made, when the alarmed girl rushed from 
her place of concealment, and, like the Pocahontas of our 
own history, threw herself before Luis, with her arms 
meekly placed on her bosom. As soon as she appeared, 
there was a cry of “ Ozema — “Ozema,” among the as- 
sailants, who were not Caribs, as all will understand who are 
familiar with the island history, but milder Haytians gov- 
erned by a Carib chief. 

In vain Luis endeavored to persuade the devoted girl to 
withdraw. She thought his life in danger, and no lan- 
guage, had he been able to exert his eloquence on the 
occasion, could have induced her to leave him exposed to 
such a danger. As the Indians were endeavoring to ob- 
tain chances at the person of Luis without killing the 
princess, he saw there remained no alternative but a re- 
treat behind the fragment of rock. Just as he obtained 
this temporary security, a fierce-looking warrior joined the 
assailamts, who immediately commenced a vociferous ex- 
planation of the actual state of the attack. 

“ Caonabo ? ” demanded Luis, of Ozema, pointing to- 
ward the new-comer. 

The girl shook her head, after taking an anxious look at 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


33 1 


the stranger’s face, at the same time clingingto our hero’s 
arm, with seductive dependence. 

“ No — no — no — ” she said, eagerly. “ No Caonabo — no 
— no — no.” 

Luis understood the first part of this answer to mean that 
the stranger was not the Carib chief ; and the last to signify 
Ozema’s strong and settled aversion to becoming his wife. 

The consultation among the assailants was soon ended. 
Six of them then poised their war-clubs and spears, and 
made a rush for the citadel of the besieged. When they 
were within twenty feet of his cover, our hero sprang 
lightly forward on the sward to meet his foes. Two of the 
spears he received on his buckler, severing both shafts with 
a single blow of his keen and highly-tempered sword. As 
he recovered from the effort, with an upward cut he met 
the raised arm of the club-man most in advance. Hand 
and club fell at his feet with the skilful touch. Making a 
sweep with the weapon in his front, its point seamed the 
breasts of the two astonished spearsmen, whose distance 
alone saved them from more serious injuries. 

This rapid and unlooked-for execution struck the assail- 
ants with awe and dread. Never before had they witnessed 
the power of metal as used in war ; and the sudden ampu- 
tation of the arm struck them as something miraculous. 
Even the ferocious Carib fell back in dismay, and Luis 
felt hopes of victory. This was the first occasion on which 
the Spaniards had come to blows with the mild inhabitants 
of the islands they had discovered, though it is usual with 
the historians to refer t« an incident of still later "occur- 
rence, as the commencement of strife, the severe privacy 
which has ever been thrown over the connection of Don Luis 
with the expedition, having completely baffled their slightf 
and superficial researches. Of course, the efficiency of a 
weapon like that used by our hero, was as novel to the 
Haytians as it was terrific. 

At this instant a shout among the assailants, and the ap- 
pearance of a fresh body of the invaders, with a tall and 
commanding chief at their head, announced the arrival of 
Caonabo in person. This warlike cacique was soon made 
acquainted with the state of affairs, and it was evident that 
the prowess of our hero struck him as much with admira- 
tion as with wonder. After a few minutes, he directed his 
followers to fall back to a greater distance, and, laying 
aside his club, he advanced fearlessly toward Luis, making 
signs of amity. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


When the two adversaries met, it was with mutual re- 
spect and confidence. The Carib made a short and vehe- 
ment speech, in which the only word that was intelligible to 
our hero, was the name of the beautiful young Indian. By 
this time Ozema had also advanced, as if eager to speak, 
and her rude suitor turned to her, with an appeal that was 
passionate, if not eloquent. He laid his hand frequently 
on his heart, and his voice became soft and persuasive. 
Ozema replied earnestly, and in the quick manner of one 
whose resolution was settled. At the close of her speech, 
the color mounted to the temples of the ardent girl, and as 
if purposely to make her meaning understood by our hero, 
she ended by saying, in Spanish — 

“ Caonabo — no — no — no ! — Luis — Luis ! ” 

The aspect of the hurricane of the tropics is not darker, 
or more menacing, than the scowl with which the Carib 
chief heard this unequivocal rejection of his suit, accom- 
panied, as it was, by so plain a demonstration in favor of 
the stranger. Waving his hand in defiance, he strode back 
to his people, and issued orders for a fresh assault. 

This time, a tempest of arrows preceded the rush, and 
Luis was fain to seek his former cover behind the rocks. 
Indeed, this was the only manner in which he could save 
the life of Ozema ; the devoted girl resolutely persevering 
in standing before his body, in the hope it would shield 
him from his enemies. There had been some words of re- 
proach from Caonabo to the Carib chief, who had re- 
treated from the first attack, and the air was yet filled with 
arrows, as this man rushed forvfard, singly, to redeem his 
name. Luis met him, firm as the rock behind him. The 
shock was violent, and the blow that fell on the buckler 
'would have crushed an arm less inured to such rude en- 
counters ; but it glanced obliquely from the shield, and the 
club struck the earth with the weight of a beetle. Our 

# hero saw that all now depended on a deep impression. 

* His sword flashed in the bright sun, and the head of the 
Carib tumbled by the side of his club, actually leaving the 
body erect for an instant, so keen was the weapon, and so 
dexterous had been the blow. 

Twenty savages were on the spring, but they stopped 
like men transfixed, at this unexpected sight. Caonabo, 
however, undaunted even when most surprised, roared out 
his orders like a maddened bull, and the wavering crowd 
was again about to advance, when the loud report of an 
arquebuse was heard, followed by the whistling of its 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


333 


deadly missives. A second Haytian fell dead in his tracks. 
It exceeded the powers of savage endurance to resist this 
assault, which, to their uninstructed minds, appeared to 
come from heaven. In two minutes, neither Caonabo 
nor any of his followers were visible. As they rushed 
down the hill, Sancho appeared from a cover, carrying 
the arquebuse, which he had taken the precaution to re- 
load. 

The circumstances did not admit of delay. Not a being 
of Mattinao’s tribe was to be seen in any direction ; and 
Luis made no doubt that they had all fled. Determined 
to save Ozema at every hazard, he now took his way to 
the river, in order to escape in one of the canoes. In 
passing through the town, it was seen that not a house 
had been plundered; and the circumstance was com- 
mented on by the Spaniards, Luis pointing it out to his 
companion. 

“Caonabo — no — no — no — Ozema! — Ozema!” was the 
answer of the girl, who well knew the real object of the 
inroad. 

A dozen canoes lay at the landing, and five minutes 
sufficed for the fugitives to enter one and to commence 
their retreat. The current flowed toward the sea, and in 
a couple of hours they were on the ocean. As the wind 
blew constantly from the eastward, Sancho soon rigged 
an apology for a sail, and an hour before the sun set, the 
party landed on a point that concealed them from the 
bay; Luis being mindful of the admiral’s injunction, to 
conceal his excursion, lest others might claim a similar 
favor. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

“ Three score and ten I can remember well, 

Within the volume of which time I have seen 
Hours dreadful, and things strange, but this sore sight 
Hath trifled former knowings.” — Macbeth. 

A sight that struck our hero with a terror and awe, 
almost as great as those experienced by the ignorant Hay- 
tians at the report and effect of the arquebuse, awaited 
him as he came in view of the anchorage. The Santa 
Maria, that vessel of the admiral, which he had left only 
four days before in her gallant array and pride, lay a 
stranded wreck on the sands, with fallen masts, broken 


334 


MERCEDES OF CAS7VLE. 


sides, and all the other signs of nautical destruction. The 
Nifia was anchored in safety, it is true, at no great dis- 
tance, but a sense of loneliness and desertion came over 
the young man, as he gazed at this small craft, which was 
little more than a felucca, raised to the rank of a ship for 
the purposes of the voyage. The beach was covered with 
stores, and it was evident, that the Spaniards and the peo- 
ple of Guacanagari toiled in company, at the construction 
of a sort of fortress ; an omen that some great change had 
come over the expedition. Ozema was immediately left 
in the house of a native, and the two adventurers hurried 
forward to join their friends, and to ask an explanation of 
what they had seen. 

Columbus received his young friend kindly, but in deep 
affliction. The manner in which the ship was lost has 
been often told, and Luis learned that the Nina being too 
small to carry all away, a colony was to be left in the 
fortress, while the remainder of the adventurers hastened 
back to Spain. Guacanagari had shown himself full of 
sympathy, and was kindness itself, while every one had 
been too much occupied with the shipwreck to miss our 
hero, or to harken to rumors of an event as common as an 
inroad from a Carib chief, to carry off an Indian beauty. 
Perhaps the latter event was still too recent to have 
reached the shores. 

The week that succeeded the return of Luis was one of 
active exertion. The Santa Maria was wrecked on the 
morning of Christmas day, 1492, and on that of the 4th of 
January following, the Nina was ready to depart on her 
return voyage. During this interval, Luis had seen Ozema 
but once, and then he had found her sorrowing, mute, and 
resembling a withered flower, that retained its beauty even 
while it drooped. On the evening of the third, however, 
while lingering near the new-finished fortress, he was sum- 
moned by Sancho to another interview. To the surprise 
of our hero, he found the young cacique with his sister. 

Although language was wanting, on this occasion, the 
parties easily understood each other. Ozema was no 
longer sorrowful, and borne down with grief : the smile 
and the laugh came easily*from her young and buoyant 
spirits, and Luis thought he had never seen her so win- 
ning and lovely. She had arranged her scanty toilet with 
Indian coquetry, and the bright, warm color of her cheeks 
added new lustre to her brilliant eyes. Her light, agile 
form, a model of artless grace, seemed so ethereal as scarce 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


335 


to touch the earth. The secret of this sudden change was 
not long hid from Luis. The brother and sister, after dis- 
cussing all their dangers and escapes, and passing in re- 
view the character and known determination of Caonabo, 
had come to the conclusion that there was no refuge for 
Ozema but in flight. What most determined the brother 
to consent that his sister should accompany the strangers 
to their distant home, it would be useless to inquire ; but 
the motive of Ozema herself, can be no secret to the reader. 
It was known that the admiral was desirous of carrying to 
Spain a party of natives ; and three females, one of whom 
was of Ozema’s rank, had already consented to go. This 
chieftain’s wife was not only known to Ozema, but she was 
a kinswoman. Everything seemed propitious to the un- 
dertaking ; and as a voyage to Spain was still a mystery to 
the natives, who regarded it as something like an extended 
passage from one of their islands to another, no formi- 
dable difficulties presented themselves to the imagination 
of either the cacique or his sister. 

This proposition took our hero by surprise. He was 
both flattered and pleased at the self-devotion of Ozema, 
even while it troubled him. Perhaps there were moments 
when he a little distrusted himself. Still Mercedes reigned 
in his heart, and he shook off the feeling as a suspicion 
that a true knight could not entertain without offering an 
insult to his own honor. On second thoughts, there were 
fewer objections to the scheme than he at first fancied ; 
and, after an hour’s discussion, he left the place to go and 
consult the admiral. 

Columbus was still at the fortress, and he heard our 
hero gravely and with interest. Once or twice Luis’ eyes 
dropped under the searching- glance of his superior ; but, 
on the whole, he acquitted "himself of the task he had un- 
dertaken, with credit. 

“ The sister of a cacique, thou say’st, Don Luis,” returned 
the admiral, thoughtfully. “ The virgin sister of a cacique ?” 

“ Even so, Don Christopher ; and of a grace, birth, and 
beauty, that will give our Lady, the Queen, a most exalted 
idea of the merits of our discovery.” 

“ Thou wilt remember, Senor Conde, that naught but 
purity may be offered to purity. Dona Isabella is a model 
for all queens, and mothers, and wives ; and I trust noth- 
ing to offend her angelic mind can ever come from her 
favored servants. There has been no deception practised 
on this wild girl, to lead her into sin and misery ? ” 


33 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Don Christopher, you can scarce think this of me. 
Doha Mercedes herself is not more innocent than the girl 
I mean, nor could her brother feel more solicitude in her 
fortunes, than I feel. When the king and queen have 
satisfied their curiosity, and dismissed her, I propose to 
place her under the care of the Lady of Valverde.” 

“ The rarer the specimens that we take, the better, Luis. 
This will gratify the sovereigns, and cause them to think 
favorably of our discoveries, as thou say’st. It might be 
done without inconvenience. The Nina is small, of a 
verity, but we gain much in leaving this large party behind 
us. I have given up the principal cabin to the other fe- 
males, since thou and I can fare rudely for a few weeks. 
Let the girl come, and see thou to her comfort and con- 
venience.” 

This settled the matter. Early next morning Gzema 
embarked, carrying with her the simple wealth of an Indian 
princess, among which the turban was carefully preserved. 
Her relative had an attendant, who sufficed for both. Luis 
paid great attention to the accommodations, in which both 
comfort and privacy were duly respected. The parting 
with Mattinao was touchingly tender, for the domestic af- 
fections appear to have been much cultivated among these 
simple-minded and gentle people pbut the separation, it 
was supposed, would be short, and Ozema had, again and 
again, assured her brother that her repugnance to Caonabo, 
powerful cacique as he might be, was unconquerable. 
Each hour increased it, strengthening her resolution never 
to become his wife. The alternative was to secrete herself 
in the island, or to make this voyage to Spain ; and there 
was glory as well as security in the latter. With this con- 
solation, the brother and sister parted. 

Columbus had intended to push his discoveries much 
further, before he returned to Europe ; but the loss of the 
Santa Maria, and the desertion of the Pinta, reduced him 
to the necessity of bringing the expedition to a close, lest, 
by some untoward accident, all that had actually been 
achieved should be forever lost to the world. Accordingly, 
in the course of the 4th of January, 1493, he made sail to 
the eastward, holding his course alpng the shores of Hayti. 
His great object now was to get back to Spain before his 
remaining little bark should fail him, when his own name 
would perish with the knowledge of his discoveries. Fort- 
unately, however, on the 6th, the Pinta was seen coming 
down before the wind, Martin Alonzo Pinzon having effect- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


337 


ed one of the purposes for which he had parted company, 
that of securing a quantity of gold, but failed in discover* 
mg any mines, which is believed to have been his principal 
motive. 

It is not important to the narrative to relate the details 
of the meeting that followed. Columbus received the 
offending Pinzon with prudent reserve, and, hearing his 
explanations, he directed him to prepare the Pinta for the 
return passage. After wooding and watering accordingly, 
in a bay favorable to such objects, the two vessels proceed- 
ed to the eastward in company ; still following the north 
shore of Hayti, Espanola, or Little Spain, as the island 
had been named by Columbus.* 

It was the 16th of the month, ere the adventurers finally 
took their leave of this beautiful spot. They had scarcely 
got clear of the land, steering a northeasterly course, when 
the favorable winds deserted them, and they were again 
met by the trades. The weather was moderate, however, 
and by keeping the two vessels on the best tack, by the 
ioth of February, the admiral, making sundry deviations 
from a straight course, however, had stretched across the 
track of ocean in which these constant breezes prevailed, 
and reached a parallel of latitude as high as Palos, his port. 
In making this long slant, the Nifla, contrary to former 
experience, was much detained by the dull sailing of the 
Pinta, which vessel, having sprung her after-mast, was 
unable to bear a press of sail. The light breeze also favored 
the first, which had ever been deemed a fast craft in smooth 
water and gentle gales. 

Most of the phenomena of the outward passage were 
observed on the homeward ; but the tunny-fish no longer 

* The fortunes of this beautiful island furnish a remarkable proof of the 
manner in which abuses are made, by the providence of God, to produce 
their own punishments. This island, which is about two-thirds the size of 
the state of New York, was the seat of Spanish authority, in the New 
World, for many years. The mild aborigines, who were numerous and 
happy when discovered, were literally exterminated by the cruelties of their 
new masters ; and it was found necessary to import negroes from Africa, 
to toil in the cane-fields. Toward the middle of the sixteenth century, it 
is said that two hundred of the aborigines were not to be found in the 
island, although Ovando hack decoyed no less than forty thousand from the 
Bahamas, to supply the places of the dead, as early as 1513 ! At a later 
day, Espanola passed into the hands of the French, and all know the ter- 
rible events by which it has gone into the exclusive possession of the 
descendants of the children of Africa. All that has been said of the influ- 
ence of the white population of this country, as connected with our own 
Indians, sinks into insignificance, as compared with these astounding facts. 

22 


33 8 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


excited hopes, nor did the sea-weed awaken fears. These 
familiar objects were successfully, but slowly passed, and 
the variable winds were happily struck again in the first 
fortnight. Here the traverses necessarily became more 
and more complicated, until the pilots, unused to so long 
and difficult a navigation, in which they received no aids 
from either land or water, got confused in their reckon- 
ings, disputing hotly among themselves concerning their 
true position. 

“ Thou hast heard to-day, Luis,” said the admiral, smil- 
ing, in one of his renewed conferences with our hero, 
“the contentions of Vicente Yanez, with his brother, Martin 
Alonzo, and the other pilots, touching our distance from 
Spain. These constant shifts of wind have perplexed the 
honest mariners, and they fancy themselves in any part of 
the Atlantic but that in which they really are !” 

“ Much depends on you, Senor ; not only our safety, but 
the knowledge of our great discoveries.” 

“Thou say’st true, Don Luis. Vicente Yanez, Sancho 
Ruiz, Pedro Alonzo Nino, and Bartolemeo Roldan, to say 
nothing of the profound calculators in the Pinta, place the 
vessels in the neighborhood of Madeira, which is nearer to 
Spain, bv a hundred and fifty leagues, than the truth 
would show. These honest people have followed their 
wishes, rather than their knowledge of the ocean and the 
heavens.” 

“And you, Don Christopher, where do you place the 
caravels, since there is no motive to conceal the truth? ” 

“We are south of Flores, young Count, fully twelve 
degrees west of the Canaries, and in the latitude of Nafe, 
in Africa. But I would that they should be bewildered, 
until the right of possession to our discoveries be made a 
matter of certainty. Not one of these men now doubts his 
ability to do all I have done, and yet neither is able to 
grope his way back again after crossing this track of water 
to Asia ! ” 

Luis understood the admiral, and the size of the vessels 
rendering the communication of secrets hazardous, the 
conversation changed. 

Up to this time, though the winds were often variable, 
the weather had been good. A few squalls had occurred, 
as commonly happens at sea, but they had proved to be 
neither long nor severe. All this was extremely grateful 
to Columbus, who, now he had effected the great purpose 
for which he might have been said to live, felt some such 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


339 


concern lest the important secret should be lost to the rest 
of mankind, as one who carries a precious object through 
scenes of danger experiences for the safety of his charge. 
A change, however, was at hand, and at the very moment 
when the great navigator began -to hope the best, he was 
fated to experience the severest of all his trials. 

As the vessels advanced north the weather became cooler, 
as a matter of course, and the winds stronger. During 
the night of the nth of February the caravels made a 
great run on their course, gaining more than a hundred 
miles between sunset and sunrise. The next morning 
many birds were in sight, from which fact Columbus 
believed himself quite near the Azores, while the pilots 
fancied they were in the immediate vicinity of Madeira. 
The following day the wind was less favorable, though 
strong, and a heavy sea had got up. The properties of the 
little Nina now showed themselves to advantage, for, ere 
the turn of the day, she had to contend with such a struggle 
of the elements as few in her had ever before witnessed. 
Fortunately, all that consummate seamanship could devise 
to render her safe and comfortable had been done, and she 
was in as perfect a state of preparation for a tempest as 
circumstances would allow. The only essential defect was 
her unusual lightness, since, most of her stores as well as 
her water being nearly exhausted, her draught of water 
was materially less than it should have been. The caravel 
was so small that this circumstance, which is of little con- 
sequence to the safety of large vessels, got to be one of 
consideration in a craft whose means of endurance did not 
place her above the perils of squalls. The reader will 
understand the distinction better when he is told that ships 
of size can only lose their spars by sudden gusts of wind, 
seldom being thrown on their beam ends, as it is termed, 
unless by the power of the waves ; whereas, smaller craft 
incur the risk of being capsized, when the spread of their 
canvas is disproportioned to their stability. Although the 
seamen of the Nina perceived this defect in their caravel, 
which, in a great measure, proceeded from the consump- 
tion of the fresh water, they hoped so soon to gain a haven 
that no means had been taken to remedy the evil. 

Such was the state of things as the sun set on the night 
of the 1 2th of February, 1493. As usual, Columbus was 
on the poop, vessels of all sizes then carrying these clumsy 
excrescences, though this of the Nina was so small as 
scarcely to deserve the name. Luis was at his side, and 


340 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


both watched the aspect of the heavens and the ocean in 
grave silence. Never before had our hero seen the ele- 
ments in so great commotion, and the admiral had just re- 
marked that even he had not viewed many nights as 
threatening. There is a solemnity about a sunset at sea, 
when the clouds appear threatening, and the omens of a 
storm are brooding, that is never to be met with on the 
land. The loneliness of a ship, struggling through a 
waste of dreary-looking water, contributes to the influence 
of the feelings that are awakened, as there appears to be 
but one object on which the wild efforts of the storm can 
expend themselves. All else seem to be in unison to aid 
the general strife ; ocean, heavens, and the air, being alike 
accessories in the murky picture. When the wintry frowns 
of February are thrown around all, the gloomy hues of the 
scene are deepened to their darkest tints. 

“ This is a brooding night-fall, Don Luis,” Columbus 
remarked, just as the last rays that the sun cast upward 
on the stormy looking clouds disappeared from their 
ragged outlines — “ I have rarely seen another as men- 
acing.” 

“ One has a double confidence in the care of God, 
while sailing under your guidance, Senor ; first in his 
goodness, and next in the knowledge of his agent’s skil- 
fulness.” 

“ The power of the Almighty is sufficient to endue the 
feeblest mortal with all fitting skill, when it is his divine 
will to spare ; or to rob the most experienced of their 
knowledge, when his anger can only be appeased by the 
worldly destruction of his creatures.” 

“ You look upon the night as portentous, Don Christo- 
pher ! ” 

“ I have seen omens as ill, though very seldom. Had not 
the caravel this burdensome freight, I might view our sit- 
uation less anxiously.” 

“You surprise me, sir Admiral! the pilots have re- 
gretted that our bark is so light.” 

“True, as to material substance ; but it beareth a cargo 
of knowledge, Luis, that it would be grievous to see wasted 
on these vacant waters. Dost thou not perceive how fast 
and gloomily the curtain of night gathereth about us, and 
the manner in which the Nina is rapidly getting to be our 
whole world ? Even the Pinta is barely distinguishable, 
like a shapeless shadow on the foaming billows, serving 
rather as a beacon to warn us of our own desolation, than 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


34i 


as a consort to cheer us with her presence and compan- 
ionship.” 

“ I have never known you thus moody, excellent Senor, 
on account of the aspect of the weather ! ” 

“Tis not usual with me, young lord ; but my heart is 
loaded with its glorious secret. Behold ! — dost thou remark 
that further sign of the warring of the elements ?” 

The admiral, as he spoke, was standing with his face to- 
ward Spain, while his companion’s gaze was fastened on 
the portentous-looking horizon of the west, around which 
still lingered sufficient light to render its frowns as chilling 
as they were visible. He had not seen the change that 
drew the remark from Columbus, but, turning quickly, he 
asked an explanation. Notwithstanding the season, the 
horizon at the northeast had been suddenly illuminated by 
a flash of lightning, and even while the admiral was relating 
the fact, and pointing out the quarter of the heavens in 
which the phenomenon had appeared, two more flashes 
followed each other in quick succession. 

“ Senor Vicente ” — called out Columbus, leaning forward 
in a way to overlook a group of dusky figures that was col- 
lected on the half-deck beneath him — “Is Senor Vicente 
Yafiez of your number?” 

“ I am here, Don Christopher, and note the omen. It 
is the sign of even more wind.” 

“ We shall be visited with a tempest, worthy Vicente, 
and it will come from that quarter of the heavens, or its 
opposite. Have we made all sure in the caravel ? ” 

“ I know not what else is to be done, Senor Almirante. 
Our canvas is at the lowest, everything is well lashed, and 
we carry as little aloft as can be spared. Sancho Ruiz, 
look you to the tarpaulings, lest we ship more water than 
will be safe.” 

“ Look well to our light, too, that our consort may not 
part from us in the darkness. This is no time for sleep, 
Vicente — place your most trusty men at the tiller.” 

“ Senor, they are selected with care. Sancho Mundo 
and young Pepe of Moguer do that duty at present ; others 
as Skilled await to relieve them when their watch ends.” 

“ ’Tis well, good Pinzon — neither you nor I can close 
an eye to-night.” 

The precautions of Columbus were not uncalled-for. 
About an hour after the unnatural flashes of lightning had 
been seen the wind rose from the southwest, favorably as 
to direction, but fearfully as to force. Notwithstanding 


342 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


his strong desire to reach port, the admiral found it pru< 
dent to order the solitary sail that was set to be taken in ; 
and most of the night the two caravels drove before the 
gale, under bare poles, heading to the northeast. We say 
both, for Martin Alonzo, practised as he was in stormy 
seas, and disposed as he was to act only for himself, now 
the great problem was solved, kept the Pinta so near the 
Nina, that few minutes passed without her being seen 
careering on the summit of a foaming sea, or settling bod- 
ily into the troughs, as she drove headlong before the 
tempest, keeping side by side with her consort, however, 
a§ man clings to man in moments of dependency and 
peril. 

Thus passed the night of the 13th, the day bringing with 
it a more vivid picture of the whole scene, though it was 
thought that the wind somewhat abated in its force as the 
sun rose. Perhaps this change existed only in the imagi- 
nations of the mariners, the light usually lessening the ap- 
pearance of danger by enabling men to face it. Each 
caravel, however, set a little canvas, and both went foam- 
ing ahead, hurrying toward Spain with*their unlooked-for 
tidings. As the day advanced the fury of the gale sensi- 
bly lessened ; but as night drew on again it returned with 
renewed force, more adverse, and compelling the advent- 
urers to take in every rag of sail they had ventured to 
spread. Nor was this the worst. The caravels by this 
time had driven up into a tract of ocean where a heavy 
cross-sea was raging, the effects of some other gale that 
had recently blown from a different quarter. Both vessels 
struggled manfully to lay up to their course under these 
adverse circumstances ; but they began to labor in a way 
to excite uneasiness in those who comprehended the full- 
est powers of the machines, and who knew whence the 
real sources of danger were derived. As night approached 
Columbus perceived that the Pinta could not maintain her 
ground, the strain on her after-mast proving too severe to 
be borne, even without an inch of canvas spread. Reluc- 
tantly did he order the Nina to edge away toward her 
consort, separation at such a moment being the evil n£xt 
to positive destruction. 

In this manner the night of the 14th drew around our 
lone and sea-girt adventurers. What had been merely 
menace and omens the previous night were now a dread 
reality. Columbus himself declared he had never_known 
a bark to buffet a more furious tempest, nor did he affect 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


343 


to conceal from Luis the extent of his apprehensions. 
With the pilots, and before the crew, he was serene, and 
even cheerful; but when alone with our hero he became 
frank and humble. Still was the celebrated navigator 
always calm and firm. No unmanly complaint escaped 
him, though his very soul was saddened at the danger his 
great discoveries ran of being forever lost. 

Such was the state of feeling that prevailed with the ad- 
miral, as he sat in his narrow cabin, in the first hours of 
that appalling night, watching for any change, relieving 
or disastrous, that might occur. The howling of the winds, 
which fairly scooped up from the surface of the raging At- 
lantic the brine in sheets, was barely audible amid the roar 
and rush of the waters. At times, indeed, when the cara- 
vel sunk helplessly between two huge waves, the fragment 
of sail she still carried would flap, and the air seemed 
hushed and still ; and then, again, as the buoyant machine 
struggled upward, like a drowning man who gains the sur- 
face by frantic efforts, it would seem as if the columns of 
air were about to bear her off before them, as lightly as 
the driving spray. Even Luis, albeit little apt to take 
alarm, felt that their situation was critical, and his constitu- 
tional buoyancy of spirits had settled down into a thought- 
ful gravity that was unusual with him. Had a column of 
a thousand hostile Moors stood before our hero, he would 
have thought rather of the means of overturning it than of 
escape; but this warring of the elements admitted of no 
such relief. It appeared actually like contending with the 
Almighty. In such scenes, indeed, the bravest find no 
means of falling back on their resolution and intrepidity ; 
for the efforts of man seem insignificant and bootless as op- 
posed to the will and power of God. 

“ ’Tis a wild night, Senor,” our hero observed calmly, 
preserving an exterior of more unconcern than he really 
felt. “To me this surpassed! all I have yet witnessed of 
the fury of a tempest.” 

Columbus sighed heavily ; then he removed his hands 
from his face, and glanced about him, as if in search of the 
implements he wanted. 

“Count of Llera,” he answered, with dignity, “there re- 
maineth a solemn duty to perform. There is parchment 
in the draw on your side of this table, and here are the in- 
struments for writing. Let us acquit ourselves of this 
important trust while time is yet mercifully given us, God 
alone knowing how long we have to live.” 


344 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Luis did not blanch at these portentous words, but he 
looked earnest and grave. Opening the draw he took out 
the parchment and laid it upon the table. The admiral 
now seized a pen, beckoning to his companion to take an- 
other, and both commenced writing as well as the inces- 
sant motion of the light caravel would allow. The task 
was arduous, but was clearly executed. As Columbus 
wrote a sentence, he repeated it to Luis, who copied it 
word for word on his own piece of parchment. The sub- 
stance of this record was the fact of the discoveries made, 
the latitude and longitude of Espafiola, with the relative 
positions of the other islands, and a brief account of what 
he had seen. The letter was directed to Ferdinand and 
Isabella. As soon as each had completed his account, the 
admiral carefully enveloped his missive in a covering of 
waxed cloth, Luis imitating him in all things. Each then 
took a large cake of wax, and scooping a hole in it, the 
packet was carefully secured in the interior, when it was 
covered with the substance that had been removed. Col- 
umbus now sent for the cooper of the vessel, who was di- 
rected to inclose each cake in a separate barrel. These 
vessels abound in ships ; and, ere many minutes, the two 
letters were securely inclosed in the empty casks. Each 
taking a barrel, the admiral and our hero now appeared 
again on the half-deck. So terrific was the night that no 
one slept, and most of the people of the Nina, men as well 
as officers, were crowded together on the gratings near the 
main-mast, where alone, with the exception of the still 
more privileged places, they considered themselves safe 
from being swept overboard. Indeed, even here they were 
constantly covered with the wash of the sea, the poop it- 
self not being protected from rude visits of this nature. 

As soon as the admiral was seen again, his followers 
crowded round him, solicitous to hear his opinion, and 
anxious to learn his present object. To have told the 
truth would have been to introduce despair where hope 
had already nearly ceased ; and, merely intimating that he 
performed a religious vow, 'Columbus, with his own hands, 
cast his barrel into the hissing ocean. That of Luis was 
placed upon the poop, in the expectation that it would 
float, should the caravel sink. 

Three centuries and a half have rolled by since Colum- 
bus took this wise precaution, and no tidings have ever 
been obtained of that cask. Its buoyancy was such that it 
might continue to float for ages. Covered with barnacles, 


MERCEDES QE CASTILE. 


345 


it may still be drifting* about the waste of waters, pregnant 
with its mighty revelations. It is possible it may have 
been repeatedly rolled upon some sandy beach, and as fre- 
quently swept off again ; and it may have been passed 
unheeded on a thousand occasions, by different vessels, 
confounded with its vulgar fellows that are so often seen 
drifting about the ocean. Had it been found, it would 
have been opened ; and had it been opened by any civil- 
ized man, it is next to impossible that an occurrence of so 
much interest should have been totally lost. 

This duty discharged, the admiral had leisure to look 
about him. The darkness was now so great that, but for 
the little light that was disengaged from the troubled 
water, it would have been difficult to distinguish objects at 
the length of the caravel. No one who has merely been 
at sea in a tall sh*p can form any just idea of the situation 
of the Nina. This vessel, little more than a large felucca, 
had actually sailed from Spain with the latine rig that is 
so common to the light coasters of southern Europe ; a rig 
that had only been altered in the Canaries. As she floated 
in a bay or a river, her height above the water could not 
have exceeded four or five feet, and now that she -was 
struggling with a tempest, in a cross sea and precisely in 
that part of the Atlantic where the rake of the winds is 
the widest, and the tumult of the waters the greatest, it 
seemed as if she were merely some aquatic animal that 
occasionally rose to the surface to breathe. There were 
moments when the caravel appeared to be irretrievably 
sinking into the abyss of the ocean ; huge black mounds 
of water rising around her in all directions, the confusion 
in the waves having destroyed all the ordinary symmetry 
of the rolling billows. Although so much figurative lan- 
guage has been used in speaking of mountainous waves, 
it would not be exceeding the literal truth to add that the 
Nina’s yards were often below the summits of the adjacent 
seas, which were tossed upward in so precipitous a manner 
as to create a constant apprehension of their falling in 
cataracts on her gratings ; for mid-ship-deck, strictly speak- 
ing, she had none. This, indeed, formed the great source 
of danger; since one falling wave might have filled the 
little vessel, and carried her, with all in her, hopelessly to 
the bottom. As it was, the crests of seas were constantly 
tumbling inboard, or shooting athwart the hull of the cara- 
vel, in sheets of glittering foam, though happily never 
with sufficient power to overwhelm the buoyant fabric. At 


346 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


such perilous instants the safety of the craft depended on 
the frail tarpaulings. Had these light coverings given 
way, two or three successive waves would infallibly have 
so far filled the hold as to render the hull water-logged ; 
when the loss of the vessel would have followed as an in- 
evitable consequence. 

The admiral had ordered Vicente Yanez to carry the 
foresail close-reefed, in the hope of dragging the caravel 
through this chaos of waters to a part of the ocean where 
the waves ran more regularly. The general direction of 
the seas, too, so far as they could be §aid to have a general 
direction at all, had been respected, and the Nina had 
struggled onward — it might be better to say waded on- 
ward — some five or six leagues, since the disappearance of 
the day, and found no change. It was getting to be near 
midnight, and still the surface of the ocean presented the 
same wild aspect of chaotic confusion. Vicente Yanez 
approached the admiral, and declared that the bark could 
no longer bear the rag of sail she carried. 

“ The jerk, as we rise on the sea, goes near to pull the 
stern out of the craft,” he said ; “and the backward flap, 
as we settle into the troughs, is almost as menacing. The 
Nina will bear the canvas no longer with safety.” 

“Who has seen aught of Martin Alonzo within the 
hour?” demanded Columbus, looking anxiously in the 
direction in which the Pinta ought to be visible. “ Thou 
hast lowered the lantern, Vicente Yanez.” 

“ It would stand the hurricane no longer. From time to 
time it hath been shown, and each signal hath been an- 
swered by my brother.” 

“ Let it be shown once more. This is a moment when 
the presence of a friend gladdens the soul, even though he 
be helpless as ourselves.” 

The lantern was hoisted, and, after a steady gaze, a faint 
and distant light was seen glimmering in the rack of the 
tempest. The experiment was repeated, at short intervals, 
and as often was the signal answered, at increasing distances, 
until the light of their consort was finally lost altogether. 

“ The Pinta’s mast is too feeble to bear even its gear, in 
such a gale,” observed Vicente Yanez ; “and my brother 
hath found it impossible to keep as near the wind as we 
have done. He goes off more to leeward.” 

“ Let the foresail be secured,” answered Columbus, “as 
thou say’st. Our feeble craft can no longer bear these 
violent surges.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


347 


Vicente Yanez now mustered a few of his ablest men, 
and went forward himself to see this order executed. At 
the same moment the helm was righted, and the caravel 
slowly fell off, until she got dead before the gale. The 
task of gathering in the canvas was comparatively easy, 
the yard being but a few feet above the deck, and little 
besides the clews being exposed. Still it required men of 
the firmest nerve and the readiest hands to venture aloft 
at such an instant. Sancho took one side of the mast and 
Pepe the other, both manifesting such qualities as mark 
the perfect seaman only. 

The caravel was now drifting at the mercy of the winds 
and waves, the term scudding being scarcely applicable to 
the motion of a vessel so low, and which was so perfectly 
sheltered from the action of the wind by the height of the 
billows. Had the latter possessed their ordinary regularity, 
the low vessel must have been pooped ; but, in a measure,' 
her exemption from this calamity was owing to an irregu- 
larity that was only the source of a new danger. Still, the 
Nina drove ahead, and that swiftly, though not with the 
velocity necessary to outstrip the chasing water, had the 
waves followed with their customary order and regularity. 
The cross seas defeated this ; wave meeting wave, actually 
sending those crests, which otherwise would have rolled 
over in combing form, upward in terrific jets d eau. 

This was the crisis of the danger. There was an hour 
when the caravel careered amid the chaotic darkness with 
a sort of headlong fury, not unfrequently dashing forward 
with her broadside to the sea, as if the impatient stern was 
bent on overtaking the stem, and exposing all to the ex- 
treme jeopardy of receiving a flood of water on the beam. 
This imminent risk was only averted by the activity of the 
man at the helm, where Sancho toiled with all his skill and 
energy, until the sweat rolled from his brow, as if exposed 
again to the sun of the tropics. At length the alarm be- 
came so great and general, that a common demand was 
made to the admiral to promise the customary religious 
oblations. For this purpose, all but the men at the helm 
assembled aft, and preparations were made to cast lots for 
the penance. 

“Ye are in the hands of God, my friends,” said Colum- 
bus, “and it is meet that ye all confess your dependence 
on his goodness, placing your security on his blessings and 
favor alone. In this cap which ye see in the hands of the 
Sefior de Muhos, are the same number of peas that we are 


348 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


of persons. One of these peas bears the mark of the Holy 
Cross, and he who shall draw forth this blessed emblem, 
stands pledged to make a pilgrimage to Santa Maria de 
Gaudalupe, bearing a waxen taper of five pounds weight. 
As the chiefest sinner among you, no less than as your ad- 
miral, the first trial shall be mine.” 

Here Columbus put his hand into the cap, and on draw- 
ing forth a pea, and holding it to the lantern, it was found 
to bear on its surface the mark he had mentioned. 

“ This is well, Senor,” said one of the pilots; “but re- 
place the pea, and let the chance be renewed for a still 
heavier penance, and that at a shrine which is most in re- 
quest with all good Christians ; I mean that of our Lady of 
Loretto. One pilgrimage to that shrine is worth two to 
any other.” 

In moments of emergency, the religious sentiment is 
apt to be strong ; and this proposition was seconded with 
warmth. The admiral cheerfully consented ; and when all 
had drawn, the marked pea was found in the hands of a 
common seaman, of the name of Pedro de Villa ; one who 
bore no very good name for either piety or knowledge. 

“ ’Tis a weary and costly journey,” grumbled the chosen 
penitent, “and cannot cheaply be made.” 

“Heed it not, friend Pedro,” answered Columbus ; “the 
bodily pains shall limit thy sufferings, for the cost of the 
journey shall be mine. This night gnwveth more and 
more terrific, good Bartolemeo Roland.” 

“ That doth it, Senor Admiral, and I am little content 
with such a pilgrim as Pedro here, although it may seem 
as if heaven itself directed the choice. A mass in Santas 
Clara de Moguer, with a watcher all night in the chapel, 
will be of more account than your distant journeys made 
by such an one as he.” 

This opinion wanted not for supporters among the 
seamen of Moguer, and a third trial was made to deter- 
mine the person. Again the pea was withdrawn from the 
cap by the admiral. Still the danger did not diminish, 
the caravel actually threatening to roll over amid the tur- 
bulence of the waves. 

“ We are too light, Vicente Yanez,” said Columbus, 
“and, desperate as the undertaking seemeth, we must 
make an effort to fill our empty casks with sea-water. 
Let hose be carefully introduced beneath the tarpaulings, 
and send careful hands below to make sure that the watei 
does not get into the hold instead of the casks.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


349 


This order was obeyed, and several hours passed in 
efforts to execute this duty. The great difficulty was in 
protecting the men who raised the water from the sea, for, 
while the whole element was raging in such confusion 
around them, it was no easy matter to secure a single 
drop in a useful manner. Patience and perseverance, 
however, prevailed in the end, and, ere the light returned, 
so many empty casks had been filled, as evidently to aid 
the steadiness of the vessel. Toward morning it rained 
in torrents, and the wind shifted from south to west, 
losing but little of its force, however. At this juncture 
the foresail was again got on the bark, and she was 
dragged by it, through a tremendous sea, a few miles to 
the eastward. 

When the day dawned, the scene was changed for the 
better. The Pinta was nowhere to be seen, and most in 
the Nina believed she had gone to the bottom. But the 
clouds had opened a little, and a sort of mystical bright- 
ness rested on the ocean, which was white with foam, and 
still hissing vVith fury. The waves, however, were gradu- 
ally getting to be more regular, and the seamen no longer 
found it necessary to lash themselves to the vessel, in 
order to prevent being washed overboard. Additional 
sail was got on the caravel, and, as her motion ahead 
increased, she became steadier, and more certain in all 
her movements. 


CHAPTER XXV. 

t( For now, from sight of land diverted clear, 

They drove uncertain o’er the pathless deep ; 

Nor gave the adverse gale due course to steer, 

Nor durst they the design’d direction keep : 

The gathering tempest quickly raged so high, 

The wave-encompass’d boat but faintly reach’d my eye.” 

— Vision of Patience. 

Such was the state of things on the morning of the 15th, 
and shortly after the sun arose, the joyful cry of land was 
heard from aloft. It is worthy of being mentioned that 
this land was made directly ahead, so accurate were all the 
admiral’s calculations, and so certain did he feel of his po- 
sition on the chart. A dozen opinions, however, prevailed 
among the pilots and people concerning this welcome sight ; 
some fancying it the continent of Europe, while others be- 


35 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


lieved it to be Madeira. Columbus, himself, publicly an- 
nounced it to be one of the Azores. 

Each hour was lessening the distance between this wel- 
come spot of earth and the adventurers, when the gale 
chopped directly round, bringing the island dead to wind- 
ward. Throughout a long and weary day the little bark 
kept turning up against the storm, in order to reach- this 
much-desired haven, but the heaviness of the swell and the 
foul wind made their progress both slow and painful. The 
sun set in wintry gloom, again, and the land still lay in the 
wrong quarter, and apparently at a distance that was un- 
attainable. Hour after hour passed, and still in the dark- 
ness, the Nina was struggling to get nearer to the spot 
where the land had been seen. Columbus never left his 
post throughout all these anxious scenes, for to him it 
seemed as if the fortunes of his discoveries were now sus- 
pended, as it might be, by a hair. Our hero was less watch- 
ful, but even he began to feel more anxiety in the result, 
as the moment approached when the fate of the expedition 
was to be decided. 

As the sun arose, every eye turned inquiringly around 
the watery view, and, to the common disappointment, no 
land was visible. Some fancied all had been illusion, but 
the admiral believed they had passed the island in the 
darkness, and he hove about, with a view to stand further 
south. This change in the course had not been made more 
than an hour or two, when land was again dimly seen 
astern, and in a quarter where it could not have been pre- 
viously perceived. For this island the caravel tacked, and 
until dark she was beating up for it, against a strong gale 
and a heavy sea. Night again drew around her, and the 
land once more vanished in the gloom. 

At the usual hour of the previous night, the people of 
the Nina had assembled to chant the salve fac y regina , or the 
evening hymn to the Virgin, for it is one of the touching 
incidents of this extraordinary voyage, that these rude 
sailors first carried with them into the unknown wastes of 
the Atlantic the songs of their religion, and the Christian’s 
prayers. While thus employed, a light had been made to 
leeward, which was supposed to be on the island first seen, 
thus encouraging the admiral in his belief that he was in 
the centre of a group, and that by keeping well to wind- 
ward, he would certainly find himself in a situation to reach 
a port in the morning. That morning, however, had pro- 
duced no other change than the one noted, and he was 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


351 


now preparing to pass another night, or that of the 17th, 
in uncertainty, when the cry of land ahead suddenly 
cheered the spirits of all in the vessel. 

The Nina stood boldly in, and before midnight she was 
near enough to the shore to let go an anchor ; so heavy 
were both wind and sea, however, that the cable parted, 
thus rejecting them, as it were, from the regions to which 
they properly belonged. Sail was made, and the effort to 
get to windward renewed, and by daylight the caravel was 
enabled to run in and get an anchorage on the north side 
of the island. Here the wearied and almost exhausted 
mariners learned that Columbus was right, as usual, and 
that they had reached the island of St. Mary, oi\e of the 
Azores. 

It does not belong to this tale to record all the incidents 
that occurred while the Nifia lay at this port. They em- 
braced an attempt to seize the caravel, on the part of the 
Portuguese, who, as they had been the last to harass the 
admiral on his departure from the old world, were the first 
to beset him on his return. All their machinations failed, 
however, and after having the best portion of his crew in 
their power, and actually having once sailed from the 
island without the men, the admiral finally arranged the 
matter, and took his departure for Spain, with all his people 
on board, on the 24th of the month. 

Providence seemed to favor the passage of the advent- 
urers, for the first few days ; the wind being favorable and 
the sea smooth. Between the morning of the 24th and the 
evening of the 26th, the caravel had made nearly a hun- 
dred leagues directly on her course to Palos, when she was 
met by a foul wind and another heavy sea. The. gale now 
became violent again, though sufficiently favorable to allow 
them to steer east, a little northerly, occasionally hauling 
more ahead. The weather was rough, but as the admiral 
knew he was drawing in with the continent of Europe, he 
did not complain, cheering his people with the hopes of a 
speedy arrival. In this manner the time passed until the 
turn of the day, Saturday, March 2d, when Columbus be- 
lieved himself to be within a hundred miles of the coast of 
Portugal, the long continuance of the scant southerly 
winds having set him thus far north. 

The night commenced favorably, the caravel struggling 
ahead through a tremendous sea that was sweeping down 
from the south, having the wind abeam, blowing so fresh 
as to cause the sails to be reduced within manageable size. 


352 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


The Nifia was an excellent craft, as had been thoroughly 
proved, and she was now steadier then when first assailed 
by the tempests, her pilots having filled still more of the 
casks than they had been able to do during the late storm. 

“Thou hast lived at the helm, Sancho Mundo, since the 
late gales commenced,” said the admiral, cheerfully, as, 
about the last hour of the first watch, he passed near the 
post of the old mariner. “ It is no small honor to hold that 
station in the cruel gales we have been fated to endure.” 

“I so consider it, Senor Don Almirante ; and I hope 
their illustrious and most excellent Highnesses, the two 
sovereigns, will look upon it with the same eyes, so far as 
the weight of the duty is concerned.” 

“And why not as respects the honor, friend Sancho?” 
put in Luis, who had become a sworn friend of the sea- 
man, since the rescue of the rocks. 

“ Honor, Senor Master Pedro, is cold food, and sits ill 
on a poor man’s stomach. One dobla is worth two duke- 
doms to such a man as I am, since the dobla would help to 
gain me respect, whereas the dukedoms would only draw 
down ridicule upon my head. No, no ; Master Pedro, 
your worship, give me a pocket full of gold, and leave 
honors to such as have a fancy for them. If a man must 
be raised in the world, begin at the beginning, or lay a 
solid foundation ; after which he may be made a knight of 
St. James, if the sovereigns have need of his name to make 
out their list.” 

“ Thou art too garrulous for a helmsman, Sancho, though 
so excellent otherwise,” observed the admiral, gravely. 
“Look to thy course ; doblas will not be wanting, when 
the voyage is ended.” 

“ Many thanks, Senor Almirante ; and, as a proof that 
my eyes are not shut, even though the tongue wngs, I will 
just desire your Excellency, and the pilots, to study that 
rag of a cloud that is gathering up here, at the southwest, 
and ask yourselves if it means evil or good.” 

“ By the mass ! the man is right, Don Christopher ! ” ex- 
claimed Bartolemeo Roldan, who was standing near ; “ that 
is a most sinister-looking cloud, and is not unlike those 
that give birth to the white squalls of Africa.” 

“ See to it — see to it — good Bartolemeo,” returned Co- 
lumbus, hastily. “We have, indeed, counted too much on 
our good fortune, and have culpably overlooked the aspect 
of the heavens. Let Vicente Yafiez and all our people be 
called ; we may have need of them.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


353 


Columbus now ascended to the poop, where he got a 
wider and a better view of the ocean and the skies. The 
signs were, indeed, as portentous as they had been sudden 
in their appearance. The atmosphere was filled with a 
white mist, that resembled a light smoke, and the admiral 
had barely time to look about him, when a roar that re- 
sembled the trampling of a thousand horses passing a 
bridge at full speed, came rushing down with the wind. 
The ocean was heard hissing, as is usual at such moments, 
and the tempest burst upon the little bark, as if envious 
demons were determined she should never reach Spain with 
the glorious tidings she bore. 

A report like that of a heavy discharge of musketry, was 
the first signal that the squall had struck the Nina. It 
came from the rent canvas, every sail having given way at 
the same instant. The caravel heeled until the water 
reached her masts, and there was a breathless instant, when 
the oldest seaman feared that she would be forced over 
entirely upon her side. Had not the sails split, this calam- 
ity might truly have occurred. Sancho, too, had borne the 
tiller up in season, and when the Nina recovered from the 
shock, she almost flew out of the water as she drove before 
the blast. 

This was the commencement of a new gale, which even 
surpassed in violence that from which they had so recently 
escaped. For the first hour, awe and disappointment al- 
most paralyzed the crew, as nothing was or could be done 
to relieve them from the peril they were in. The vessel was 
already scudding — the last resource of seamen — and even 
the rags of the canvas were torn, piece by piece, from the 
spars, sparing the men the efforts that would have been 
necessary to secure them. In this crisis, again the penitent 
people resorted to their religious rites ; and again it fell to 
the lot of the admiral to make a visit to some favorite 
shrine. In addition, the whole crew made a vow to fast 
on bread and water, the first Saturday after they should 
arrive. 

“ It is remarkable, Don Christopher/’ said Luis, when 
the two were again alone on the poop ; “ it is remarkable 
that these lots should fall so often on you. Thrice have 
you been selected by Providence to be an instrument of 
thankfulness and penitence. This cometh of your exceed- 
ing faith ! ” 

“ Say, rather, Luis, that it cometh of my exceeding sins. 
My pride, alone, should draw down upon me stronger re- 
23 


354 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


bukes than these. I fear me, I had forgotten that I was 
merely an agent chosen by God, to work his own great 
ends, and was falling into the snares of Satan, by fancying 
that I, of my own wisdom and philosophy had done this 
great exploit, which cometh so truly of God.” 

“ Do you believe us in danger, Senor ?” 

“ Greater hazard besets us now, Don Luis, than hath be- 
fallen us since we left Palos. We are driving toward the 
continent, which cannot be thirty leagues distant ; and, as 
thou seest, the ocean is becoming more troubled every 
hour. Happily, the night is far advanced, and with the 
light we may find the means of safety.” 

The day did reappear as usual ; for whatever disturb- 
ances occur on its surface, the earth continues its daily 
revolutions in the sublimity of its vastness, affording, at 
each change, to the mites on its surface, the indubitable 
proofs that an omnipotent power reigns over all its move- 
ments. The light, however, brought no change in the 
aspects of the ocean and sky. The wind blew furiously, 
and the Nina struggled along amid the chaos of waters, 
driving nearer and nearer to the continent that lay before 
her. 

About the middle of the afternoon, signs of land became 
quite apparent, and no one doubted the vicinity of the ves- 
sel to the shores of Europe. Nevertheless, naught was vis- 
ible but the raging ocean, the murky sky, and the sort of 
supernatural light with which the atmosphere is so often 
charged in a tempest. The spot where the sun set, though 
known by means of the compass, could not be traced by 
the eye ; and again night closed on the wild, wintry scene, 
as if the little caravel was abandoned by hope as well as 
by day. To add to the apprehensions of the people, a 
high cross sea was running ; and, as ever happens with 
vessels so small, in such circumstances, tons’ weight of 
water was constantly falling inboard, threatening de- 
struction to the gratings and their frail coverings of tarred 
cloth. 

“ This is the most terrible night of all, son Luis,” said 
Columbus, about an hour after the darkness had drawn 
around them. “ If we escape this night, well may we deem 
ourselves favored of God ! ” 

“And yet you speak calmly, Senor; as calmly as if your 
heart was filled with hope.” 

“ The seaman that cannot command his -nerves and voice, 
even in the utmost peril, hath mistaken his calling. But 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


355 


I feel calm, Luis, as well as seem calm. God hath us in his 
keeping, and will do that which most advanceth his own 
holy will. My boys — my two poor boys trouble me sorely ; 
but even the fatherless are not forgotten !” 

“ If we perish, Senor, the Portuguese will remain mas- 
ters of our secret,: to them only is it now known, ourselves 
excepted, since for Martin Alonzo, I should think, there 
is little hope.” 

“ This is another source of grief ; yet have I taken 
such steps as will probably put their Highnesses on the 
maintenance of their rights. The rest must be trusted to 
heaven.” 

At that moment was heard the startling cry of “ land.” 
This word, which so lately would have been the cause of 
sudden bursts of joy, was now the source of new uneasi- 
ness. Although the night was dark, there were moments 
when the gloom opened, as it might be, for a mile or two 
around the vessel, and when objects as prominent as a 
coast could be seen with sufficient distinctness. Both Co- 
lumbus and our hero hastened to the forward part of the 
caravel, at this cry, though even this common movement 
was perilous, in order to obtain the best possible view of 
the shore. It was, indeed, so near, that all on board heard, 
or fancied they heard, the roar of the surf against the 
rocks. That it was Portugal, none doubted, and to stand 
on in the present uncertainty of their precise position, or 
without a haven to enter, would be inevitable destruction. 
There remained only the alternative to ware with the cara- 
vel’s head off shore, and endeavor to keep an offing until 
morning. Columbus had no sooner mentioned this neces- 
sity, than Vicente Yafiez set about its execution in the best 
manner circumstances would allow. 

Hitherto the wind had been kept a little on the star- 
board quarter, the caravel steering east, a point or two 
north, and it was now the aim to lay her head so far round 
as to permit her to steer north, a point or two west. By 
the manner in which the coast appeared to trend, it was 
thought that this variation in the direction might keep 
them, for a few hours, at a sufficient distance from the 
shore. But this manoeuvre could not be effected without 
the aid of canvas, and an order was issued to set the fore- 
sail. The first flap of the canvas, as it was loosened to 
the gale, was tremendous, the jerk threatening to tear the 
fore-mast from its step, and then all was still as death 
forward, the hull sinking so low behind a barrier of water 


35 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


as actually to becalm the sail. Sancho and his associate 
seized the favorable moment to secure the clews, and, as 
the little bark struggled upward again, the canvas filled 
with some such shock as is felt at the sudden checking of 
a cable. From this moment the Nina drew slowly off to 
sea again, though her path lay through such a scene of 
turbulent water, as threatened, at each instant, to over- 
whelm her. 

“ Luis ! ” said a soft voice, at our hero’s elbow, as the 
latter stood clinging to the side of the door of the cabin 
appropriated to the females — “Luis — Hayti better — Mat- 
tinao better — much bad, Luis ! ” 

It was Ozema, who had risen from her pallet to look 
out upon the appalling view of the ocean. During the 
mild weather of the first part of the passage, the inter- 
course between Luis and the natives on board had been 
constant and cheerful. Though slightly incommoded by 
her situation, Ozema had always received his visits with 
guileless delight, and her progress in Spanish had been 
such as to astonish even her teacher. Nor were the means 
of communication confined altogether to the advance of 
Ozema, since Luis, in his endeavors to instruct her, had 
acquired nearly as many words of her native tongue, as he 
had taught her of his own. In this manner they con- 
versed, resorting to both dialects for terms, as necessity 
dictated. We shall give a free translation of what was 
said, endeavoring, at the same time, to render the dialogue 
characteristic and graphic. 

“ Poor Ozema ! ” returned our hero, drawing her gently 
to a position where he could support her against the ef- 
fects of the violent motion of the caravel — “ thou must 
regret Hayti, indeed, and the peaceful security of thy 
groves ! ” 

“ Caonabo there, Luis.” 

“ True, innocent girl ; but even Caonabo is not as terri- 
ble as this anger of the elements.” 

“No — no — no — Caonabo much bad. Break Ozema’s 
heart. No Caonabo — no Hayti.” 

“ Thy dread of the Carib chief, dear Ozema, hath upset 
thy reason, in part. Thou hast a God, as well as we Chris- 
tians, and, like us, must put thy trust in him ; he alone can 
now protect thee.” 

“ What protect ? ” 

“ Care for thee, Ozema. See that thou dost not come to 
harm. Look to thy safety and welfare.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


357 


“ Luis protect Ozema. So promise Mattinao — so promise 
Ozema — so promise heart.” 

“ Dear girl, so will I, to the extent of my means. But 
what can I do against this tempest ? ” 

‘•What Luis do against Caonabo ? — kill him — cut In- 
dians — make him run away ! ” 

“ This was easy to a Christian knight, who carried a 
good sword and buckler, but it is impossible against a 
tempest. We have only one hope, and that is to trust in 
the Spaniards’ God.” 

“ Spaniards great — have great God.” 

“ There is but one God, Ozema, and he ruleth all, 
whether in Hayti or in Spain. Thou rememberest what I 
have told thee of his love, and of the manner of his death, 
that we might all be saved, and thou didst then promise to 
worship him, and to be baptized when we should reach my 
country.” 

“ God !— Ozema do what Ozema say. Love Luis’ God 
already.” 

“ Thou hast seen the holy cross, Ozema, and hast 
promised me to kiss it, and bless it.” 

“ Where cross ? See no cross — up in heaven ? — or 
where ? Show Ozema cross, now— Luis’ cross — cross Luis 
love.” 

The young man wore the parting gift of Mercedes near 
his heart, and raising a hand he withdrew the small jewel, 
pressed it to his own lips with pious fervor, and then of- 
fered it to the Indian girl. 

“See ” — he said — “ this is a cross ; we Spaniards revere 
and bless it. It is our pledge of happiness.” 

“That Luis’ God ?” inquired Ozema, in a little surprise. 

“ Not so, my poor benighted girl ” 

“What benighted?” interrupted the quick-witted Hay- 
tian, eagerly, for no term that the young man could or did 
apply to her, fell unheeded on her vigilant and attentive ear. 

“ Benighted means those who have never heard of the 
cross, or of its endless mercies.” 

“Ozema no benighted now,” exclaimed the other, press- 
ing the bauble to her bosom. “ Got cross — keep cross — 
no benighted again, never. Cross, Mercedes ” — for, by 
one of those mistakes that are not unfrequent in the com- 
mencement of all communications between those who 
speak different tongues, the young Indian had caught the 
notion, from many of Luis’ involuntary exclamations, that 
“ Mercedes ” meant all that was excellent. 


358 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


“ I would, indeed, that she of whom thou speakest had 
thee in her gentle care, that she might lead thy pure soul 
to a just knowledge of thy Creator ! That cross cometh 
of Mercedes, if it be not Mercedes herself, and thou dost 
well in loving it, and in blessing it. Place the chain 
around thy neck, Ozema, for the precious emblem may 
help in preserving thee, should the gale throw us on the 
coast, ere morning. That cross is a sign of undying love." 

The girl understood enough of this, especially as the 
direction was seconded by a little gentle aid on the part 
of our hero, to comply, and the chain was soon thrown 
around her neck, with the holy emblem resting on her 
bosom. The change in the temperature, as well as a sense 
of propriety, had induced the admiral to cause ample robes 
of cotton to be furnished all the females, and Ozema’s 
beautiful form was now closely enveloped in one, and be- 
neath its folds sh.e had hidden the jewel, which she fondly 
hugged to her heart, as a gift of Luis. Not so did the 
young man himself view the matter. He had merely 
meant to lend, in a moment of extreme peril, that which 
the superstitious feeling of the age seriously induced him 
to fancy might prove a substantial safeguard. As Ozema 
was by no means expert in managing the encumbrance of 
a dress to which she was unaccustomed, even while native 
taste had taught her to throw it around her person grace- 
fully, the young man had half unconsciously assisted in 
placing the cross in its new position, when a violent roll 
of the vessel compelled him to sustain the girl by encircling 
her waist with an arm. Partly yielding to the motion of 
the caravel, which was constantly jerking even the mariners 
from their feet, and probably as much seduced by the ten- 
derness of her own heart, Ozema did not rebuke this 
liberty — the first our hero had ever offered — but stood, in 
confiding innocence, upheld by the arm that, of all others, 
it was most grateful to her feelings to believe destined to 
perform that office for life. In another moment, her head 
rested on his bosom, and her face was turned upward, 
with the eyes fastened on the countenance of the young 
noble. 

“Thou art less alarmed at this terrific storm, Ozema, 
than I could have hoped. Apprehension for thee has 
made me more miserable than I could have thought pos- 
sible, and yet thou seemest not to be disturbed.’' 

“ Ozema no unhappy — no want Hayti — no want Mattinao 
— no want anything — Ozema happy now. Got cross." 


359 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 

“ Sweet, guileless innocent, may’st thou never know any 
other feelings ! — confide in thy cross.” 

“Cross, Mercedes — Luis, Mercedes. Luis and Ozema 
keep cross forever.” 

It was, perhaps, fortunate for this high-prized happiness 
of the girl, that the Nifia now took a plunge that unavoid- 
ably compelled our hero to release his hold of her person, 
or to drag her with him headlong toward the place where 
Columbus stood, sheltering his weather-beaten form from 
a portion of the violence of the tempest. When he re- 
covered his feet, he perceived that the door of the cabin 
was closed, and that Ozema was no longer to be seen. 

“Dost thou find our female friends terrified by this ap- 
palling scene, son Luis?” Columbus quietly demanded, 
for, though his own thoughts had been much occupied by 
the situation of the caravel, he had noted all that had just 
passed so near him. “ They are stout of heart, but even 
an amazon might quail at this tempest.” 

“ They heed it not, Senor, for I think they understand 
it not. The civilized man is so much their superior, that 
both men and women appear to have every confidence in 
our means of safety. I have just given Ozema a cross, 
and bade her place her greatest reliance on that.” 

“ Thou hast done well ; it is now the surest protector of 
us all. Keep the head of the caravel as near to the wind 
as may be, Sancho, when it lulls, every inch off shore 
being so much gained in the way of security.” 

The usual reply w T as made, and then the conversation 
ceased ; the raging of the elements, and the fearful manner 
in which the Nina was compelled to struggle literally to 
keep on the surface of the ocean, affording ample matter 
for the reflections of all who witnessed the scene. 

In this manner passed the night. When the day broke, 
it opened on a scene of wintry violence. The sun was not 
visible that day, the dark vapor driving so low before the 
tempest, as to lessen the apparent altitude of the vault of 
heaven one-half, but the ocean was an undulating sheet of 
foam. High land soon became visible nearly abeam of the 
caravel, and all the elder mariners immediately pronounced 
it to be the rock of Lisbon. As soon as this important fact 
was ascertained, the admiral wore with the head of the cara- 
vel in-shore, and laid his course for the mouth of the Tagus. 
The distance was not great, some twenty miles perhaps ; 
but the necessity of facing the tempest, and of making sail, 
on a wind, in such a storm, rendered the situation of the 


3 6 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


caravel more critical than it had been in all her previous 
trials. At that moment, the policy of the Portuguese was 
forgotten, or held to be entirely a secondary consideration, 
a port or shipwreck appearing to be the alternative. Every 
inch of their weatherly position became of importance to 
the navigators, and Vicente Yanez placed himself neqr the 
helm to watch its play with the vigilance of experience 
and authority. No sail but the lowest could be carried, 
and these were reefed as closely as their construction would 
allow. 

In this manner the tempest-tossed little bark struggled 
forward, now sinking so low in the troughs that land, 
ocean, and all but the frowning billows, with the clouds 
above their heads, were lost to view ; and now rising, as it 
might be, from the calm of a sombre cavern, into the roar- 
ing, hissing, and turbulence of a tempest. These latter 
moments were the most critical. When the light hull 
reached the summit of a wave, falling over to windward by 
the yielding of the element beneath her, it seemed as if 
the next billow must inevitably overwhelm her ; and yet, 
so vigilant was the eye of Vicente Yanez, and so ready the 
hand of Sancho, that she ever escaped the calamity. To keep 
the wash of the sea entirely out, was, however, impossible ; 
and it often swept athwart the deck, forward, like the sheets 
of a cataract, that part of the vessel being completely aban- 
doned by the crew. 

“ All now depends on our canvas,” said the admiral, with 
a sigh ; “if that stand, we are safer than when scudding, 
and I think God is with us. To me it seemeth as if the 
wind was a little less violent than in the night.” 

“ Perhaps it is, Senor. I believe we gain on the place 
you pointed out to me.” 

“It is yon rocky point. That weathered, and we are 
safe. That not weathered, and we see our common grave.” 

“ The caravel behaveth nobly, and I will still hope.” 

An hour later, and the land was so near that human be- 
ings were seen moving on it. There are moments when 
life and death may be said to be equally presented to the 
seaman’s sight. On one side is destruction ; on the other 
security. As the vessel drew slowly in toward the shore, 
not only was the thunder of the surf upon the rocks audi- 
ble, but the frightful manner in which the water was tossed 
upward in spray, gave additional horrors to the view. On 
such occasions, it is no uncommon thing to see jets d'eau 
hundreds of feet in height, and the driving spray is often 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


361 


carried to a great distance inland, before the wind. Lisbon 
has the whole rake of the Atlantic before it, unbroken by 
island or headland ; and the entire coast of Portugal is 
one of the most exposed of Europe. The southwest gales, 
in particular, drive across twelve hundred leagues of ocean, 
‘and the billows they send in upon its shores, are truly ap- 
palling. Nor was the storm we are endeavoring to describe, 
one of common occurrence. The season had been tem- 
pestuous, seldom leaving the Atlantic any peace ; and the 
surges produced by one gale had not time to subside, ere 
another drove up the water in a new direction, giving rise 
to that irregularity of motion which most distresses a ves- 
sel, and which is particularly hazardous to small ones. 

“ She looks up better, Don Christopher ! ” exclaimed 
Luis, as they got within musket-shot of the desired point ; 
“ another ten minutes of as favorable a slant, and we do it ! ” 

“ Thou art right, son,” answered the admiral, calmly. 
“ Were any calamity to throw us ashore on yonder rocks, 
two planks of the Nina would not hold together five min- 
utes. Ease her — good Vicente Yanez — ease her, quite a 
point, and let her go through the water. All depends on 
the canvas, and we can spare that point. She moves, Luis ! 
Regard the land, and thou wilt now see our motion.” 

“True, Senor, but the caravel is drawing frightfully near 
the point ! ” 

“ Fear not ; a bold course is often the safest. It is a deep 
shore, and we need but little water.” 

No one now spoke. The caravel was dashing in toward 
the point with appalling speed, and every minute brought 
her perceptibly nearer to the caldron of water that was 
foaming around it. Without absolutely entering within 
this vortex, the Nina flew along its edge, and, in five min- 
utes more, she had a direct course up the Tagus open be- 
fore her. The mainsail was now taken in, and the mari- 
ners stood fearlessly on, certain of a haven and security. 

Thus, virtually, ended the greatest marine exploit the 
world has ever witnessed. It is true that a run round to 
Palos was subsequently made, but it was insignificant in 
distance, and not fruitful in incidents. Columbus had 
effected his vast purpose, and his success was no longer a 
secret. His reception in Portugal is known, as well as all 
the leading occurrences that took place at Lisbon. He 
anchored in the Tagus on the 4th of March, and left it 
again on the 13th. On the morning of the 14th the Nina 
was off Cape St. Vincent, when she hauled in to the east' 


3 62 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


ward, with a light air from the north. At sunrise on the 
15 th she was again off the bar of Saltes, after an absence 
of only two hundred and twenty-four days. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 

“ One evening- tide, as with her crones she sate, 

Making sweet solace of some scandal new, 

A boisterous noise came thund’ring at the gate, 

And soon a sturdie boy approached in view; 

With gold far glitteraund were his vestments blue. 

And pye-shaped hat, and of the silver sheen 
An huge broad buckle glaunst in either shoe. 

And round his necke an Indian kerchiefe clean, 

And in his hand a switch ; — a jolly wight I ween.” — M ickle. 

Notwithstanding the noble conceptions that lay at the 
bottom of the voyage we have just related, the persever- 
ance and self-devotion that were necessary to its accom- 
plishment, and the magnificence of the consequences that 
were dependent on its success, it attracted very little at- 
tention amid the stirring incidents and active selfishness of 
the age, until the result was known. Only a month before 
the arrangement was made with Columbus, the memorable 
edict of the two sovereigns, for the expulsion of the Jews, 
had been signed ; and this uprooting of so large a portion 
of the Spanish nation was, of itself, an event likely to draw 
off the eyes of the people from an enterprise deemed as 
doubtful, and which was sustained by means so insignifi- 
cant, as that of the great navigator. The close of the month 
of July had been set as the latest period for the departure 
of these persecuted religionists ; and thus, at the very 
time, almost on the very day, when Columbus sailed from 
Palos, was the attention of the nation directed toward 
what might be termed a great national calamity. The de- 
parture was like the setting forth from Egypt, the high- 
ways being thronged with the moving masses, many of 
which were wandering they knew not whither. 

The king and queen had left Granada in May, and after 
remaining two months in Castile, they passed into Aragon, 
about the commencement of August, in which kingdom 
they happened to be when the expedition sailed. Here 
they remained throughout the rest of the season, settling 
affairs of importance, and, quite probably, disposed to avoid 
the spectacle of the misery their Jewish edict had inflicted. 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


3 6 3 


Castile having contained much the greater portion of that 
class of their subjects. In October, a visit was paid to the 
turbulent Catalans ; the court passing the entire winter in 
Barcelona. Nor did momentous events cease to occupy 
them while in this part of their territories. On the ryth of 
December an attempt was made on the life of Ferdinand ; 
the assassin inflicting a severe, though not a fatal wound, 
by a blow on the neck. During the critical weeks in which 
the life of the king was deemed to be in danger, Isabella 
watched at his bed-side, with the untiring affection of a 
devoted wife ; and her thoughts dwelt more on her affec- 
tions than on any worldly aggrandizement. Then followed 
the investigation into the motives of the criminal ; con- 
spiracies ever being distrusted in such cases, although 
history would probably show that much the greater part 
of these wicked attempts on the lives of sovereigns, are 
more the results of individual fanaticism, than of any com- 
bined plans to destroy. 

Isabella, whose gentle spirit grieved over the misery 
her religious submission had induced her to inflict on the 
Jews, was spared the additional sorrow of mourning for a 
husband, taken away* by means so violent. Ferdinand 
gradually recovered. All these occurrences, together 
with the general cares of the state, had served to divert 
the thoughts of even the queen from the voyage ; while 
the politic Ferdinand, in his mind, had long since set down 
the gold expended in the outfit as so much money lost. 

The balmy spring of the south opened as usual, and the 
fertile province of Catalonia had already become delight- 
ful with the fresh verdure of the close of March. The 
king had, for some weeks, resumed his usual occupations, 
and Isabella, relieved from her conjugal fears, had again 
fallen into the quiet current of her duties and her usual 
acts of beneficence. Indisposed to the gorgeousness of 
her station by the recent events, and ever pining for the in- 
dulgence of the domestic affections, this estimable woman, 
notwithstanding the strong natural disposition she had 
always felt for that sort of life, had lived more among her 
children and confidants, of late, that had been even her 
wont. Her earliest friend, the Marchioness of Moya, as 
a matter of course, was ever near her person, and Mercedes 
passed most of her time either in the immediate presence 
of her royal mistress, or in that of her children. 

There had been a small reception one evening, near 
the close of the month ; and Isabella, glad to escape from 


3 6 4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


such scenes, had withdrawn to her private apartment^ 
to indulge in conversation in the circle she so much loved 
It was near the hour of midnight, the king being at work, 
as usual, in an adjoining closet. There were present, be- 
sides the members of the royal family and Dona Beatrix 
with her lovely niece, the Archbishop of Granada, Luis de 
St. Angel, and Alonzo de Quintanilla, the two last of whom 
had been summoned by the prelate, to discuss some ques- 
tion of clerical finance before their illustrious mistress^ 
All business, however, was over, and Isabella was render- 
ing the circle agreeable, with the condescension of a 
princess and the gentle grace of a woman. 

“ Are there fresh tidings from the unfortunate and de- 
luded Hebrews, Lord Archbishop?” demanded Isabella, 
whose kind feelings ever led her to regret the severity 
which religious dependence on her confessors had induced 
her to sanction. “ Our prayers should surely attend them, 
notwithstanding our policy and duty have demanded their 
expulsion.” 

“ Senora,” answered Fernando de Talavera, “they are 
doubtless serving Mammon among^the Moors and Turks, 
as they served him in Spain. Let not your Highness’ 
gracious mind be disturbed on account of these descend- 
ants of the enemies and crucifiers of Christ, who, if they 
suffer at all, do but suffer justly, for the unutterable sir 
of their forefathers. Let us rather inquire, my gracious 
mistress, of the Senores St. Angel and Quintanilla here, 
what hath become of their favorite Colon, the Genoese ; 
and when they look for his return, dragging the Great 
Khan, a captive, by the beard ! ” 

“We know naught of him, holy prelate,” put in de St. 
Angel, briskly, “ since his departure from the Canaries.” 

“ The Canaries ! ” interrupted the queen, in a little sur- 
prise. “ Hath aught been received that cometh from that 
quarter ? ” 

“ By report only, Senora. Letters have not reached any 
in Spain, that I can learn, but there is a rumor from Port- 
ugal that the admiral touched at Gomera and the Grand 
Canary, where it would seem he had his difficulties, and 
whence he shortly after departed, holding a western course ; 
since which time no tidings have been ^received from 
either of the caravels.” 

“ By which fact, Lord Archbishop,” added Quintanilla, 
“ we can perceive that trifles are not likely to turn the ad- 
venturers back.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 365 

“Til- warrant ye, Senores, that a Genoese adventurer 
who holdeth their Highnesses’ commission as an admiral, 
will be in no unseemly haste to get rid of the* dignity!” 
rejoined the prelate, laughing, without much deference to 
his mistress’ concessions in Columbus’ favor. “One does 
not see rank, authority, and emolument carelessly thrown 
aside, when they may be retained by keeping aloof from 
the power whence they spring.” 

“Thou art unjust to the Genoese, holy sir, and judgest 
him harshly,” observed the queen. “Truly, I did not know 
of these tidings from the Canaries, and I rejoice to hear 
that Colon hath got thus far in safety. Hath not the past 
been esteemed a most boisterous winter among mariners, 
Senor de St. Angel ?” 

“So much so, your Highness, that I have heard the sea- 
men here, in Barcelona, swear that, within the memory 
of man, there hath not been another like it. Should ill- 
luck wait upon Colon, I trust this circumstance may be 
remembered as his excuse though I doubt if he be very 
near any of our tempests and storms.” 

“ Not he ! ” exclaimed the bishop, triumphantly. “ It 
will be seen that he hath been safely harbored in some 
river of Africa ; and we shall have Sbme question yet to 
settle about him with Don John of Portugal.” 

“Here is the king to give us his opinion,” interposed 
Isabella. “ It is long since I have heard him mention the 
name of Colon. .Have you entirely forgotten our Geno- 
ese admiral, Don Fernando ?” 

“Before I am questioned on subjects so remote,” re- 
turned the king, smiling, “ let me inquire into matters 
nearer home. How long is it that your Highness hold- 
eth court, and giveth receptions, past the hour of mid- 
night ? ” 

“Call you this a court, Senor? Here are but our own 
dear children, Beatrix and her niece, with the good arch- 
bishop, and those two faithful servants of your own.” 

“ True ; but you overlook the ante-chambers, and those 
who await your pleasure without.” 

“None can await without at this unusual hour; surely 
you jest, my lord.” 

“Then your own page, Diego de Ballesteros, hath re- 
ported falsely. Unwilling to disturb your privacy, at this 
unseasonable hour, he hath come to me, saying that one 
of strange conduct and guise is in the palace, insisting on 
•an interview with the queen, let it be late or early. The 


3 g6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


accounts of this man’s deportment are so singular, that I 
..have ordered him to be admitted, and have come myself to 
witness the interview. The page telleth me that he swears 
all hours are alike, and that night and day are equally 
made for our uses.” 

“ Dearest Don Fernando, there may be treason in this ! ” 

“Fear not, Isabella ; assassins are. not so bold, and the 
trusty rapiers of these gentlemen will prove sufficient for 
our protection — hist ! there are footsteps, and we must ap- 
pear calm, even though we apprehend a tumult.” 

The door opened, and Sancho Mundo stood in the royal 
presence. The air and appearance of so singular a being 
excited both astonishment and amusement, and every eye 
was fastened on him in wonder ; and this so much the 
more, because he had decked his person with sundry orna- 
ments from the imaginary Indies, among which were one 
or two bands of gold. Mercedes alone detected his pro- 
fession by his air and attire, and she rose involuntarily, 
clasping her hands with energy, and suffering a slight ex- 
clamation to escape her. The queen perceived this little 
pantomime, and it at once gave a right direction to her 
own thoughts. 

“ I am Isabella, the queen,” she said, rising, without any 
further suspicion of danger ; “ and thou art a messenger 
from Colon, the Genoese ? ” 

Sancho, who had found great difficulty in gaining ad- 
mittance, now that his end was obtained, took matterts 
with his native coolness. His first act was to fall on his 
knees, as he had been particularly enjoined by Columbus 
to do. He had caught the habit of using the weed of 
Hayti and Cuba from the natives, and was, in fact, the 
first seaman who ever chewed tobacco. The practice had 
already got to be confirmed with him, and before he an- 
swered, or as soon as he had taken this, for him, novel po- 
sition, he saw fit to fill a corner of his mouth with the at- 
tractive plant. Then, giving his wardrobe a shake, for 
all the decent clothes he owned were on his person, he dis- 
posed himself to make a suitable reply. 

“Senora — Dona — your Highness,” he answered, “any 
one might have seen that at a glance. I am Sancho 
Mundo, of the ship-yard gate ; one of your Highness’ Ex- 
cellency’s most faithful subjects and mariners, being a 
native and resident of Moguer.” 

“ Thou comest from Colon, I say ?” 

“Senora, I do ; many thanks to your Royal Grace for 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


367 


the information. Don Christopher hath sent me across 
the country from Lisbon, seeing that the wily Portuguese 
would be less likely to distrust a simple mariner, like my- 
self, than one of your every-day booted couriers. ’Tis ^ 
weary road, and there is not a mule between the stables o 
Lisbon and the palace of Barcelona fit for a Christian u 
bestride.” 

“ Then, hast thou letters ? One like thee can scarcely 
bear aught else.” 

“Therein, your Grace’s Highness, Dona Reyna, is mis- 
taken ; though I am far from bearing half the number of 
doblas I had at starting. Mass ! the innkeepers took me 
for a grandee, by the manner in which they charged ! ” 

“ Give the man gold, good Alonzo — he is one that liketh 
his reward eTre he will speak.” 

Sancho coolly counted the pieces that were put into his 
hand, and, finding them greatly to exceed his hopes, he had 
no longer any motive for prevarication. 

“ Speak, fellow ! ” cried the king. “ Thou triflest where 
thou owest thy duty and obedience.” 

The sharp, quick voice of Ferdinand had much more 
effect on the ear of Sancho than the gentler tones of Isa- 
bella, notwithstanding his rude nature had been impressed 
with the matronly beauty and grace of the latter. 

“ If your Highness would condescend to let me know 
what you wish to hear, I will speak in all gladness.” 

“Where is Colon ?” demanded the queen. 

“At Lisbon, lately, Senora, though I think now at Palos 
de Moguer, or in that neighborhood.” 

“ Whither hath he been ? ” 

“ To Cipango, and the territories of the Great Khan ; 
forty days’ sail from Gomera, and a country of marvellous 
beauty and excellence ! ” 

“ Thou canst not — darest not trifle with me ! Can we 
put credit in thy words ? ” 

“If your Highriess only knew Sancho Mundo, you 
would not not feel this doubt. I tell you, Senora, and all 
these noble cavaliers and dames, that Don Christopher 
Colon hath discovered the other side of the earth, which 
we now know to be round, by having circled it ; and that 
he hath found out that the north star journeyeth about 
in the heavens, like a gossip spreading her news ; and that 
he hath taken possession of islands as large as Spain, in 
which gold groweth, and where the holy Church may em- 
ploy itself in making Christians to the end of time.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


368 


“The letter — Sancho — give me the letter. Colon would 
scarce send thee as a verbal expositor.” 

The fellow now undid sundry coverings of cloth and 
paper, until he reached the missive of Columbus, when, 
without rising from his knees, lie held it out toward the 
queen, giving her the trouble to move forward several 
paces to receive it. So unexpected and astounding were 
the tidings, and so novel the whole scene, that no one in- 
terfered, leaving Isabella to be the sole actor, as she was, 
virtually, the sole speaker. Sancho, having thus success- 
fully acquitted himself of a task that had been expressly 
confided to him on account of his character and appear- 
ance, which, it was thought, would prove his security from 
arrest and plunder, settled down quietly on his heels, for 
he had been directed not to rise until ordered ; and, draw- 
ing forth the gold he had received, he began coolly to 
count it anew. So absorbing was the attention all gave 
to the queen, that no one heeded the mariner or his move- 
ments. Isabella opened the letter, which her looks de- 
voured aS they followed line after line. As was usual 
with Columbus, the missive was long, and it required many 
minutes to read it. All this time not an individual 
moved, every eye being fastened on the speaking coun- 
tenance of the queen. There were seen the heightening 
flush of pleasure and surprise, the glow of delight and 
wonder, and the look of holy rapture. When the letter 
was ended, Isabella turned her eyes upward to heaven, 
clasped her hands with energy, and exclaimed : 

“Not unto us, O Lord, but to thee, be all the honor of 
this wonderful discovery, all the benefits of this great proof 
of thy goodness and power ! ” 

Thus saying, she sunk into a seat and dissolved in tears. 
Ferdinand uttered a slight ejaculation at the words of his 
royal consort ; and then he gently took the letter from her 
unresisting hand, and read it with great deliberation and 
care. It was not often that the wary'King of Aragon was 
as much affected, in appearance at least, as on this occa- 
sion. The expression of his face, at first, was that of won- 
der ; eagerness, not to say avidity, followed ; and when he 
had finished reading his grave countenance was unequiv- 
ocally illuminated by exultation and joy. 

“Good Luis de St. Angel!” he cried, “and thou, honest 
Alonzo de Quintanilla, these must be grateful tidings to 
you both. Even thou, holy prelate, wilt rejoice that the 
Church is like to have acquisitions so glorious — albeit no 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


369 


favorer of the Genoese of old. Far more than all our ex- 
pectations are realized, for Colon hath truly discovered the 
Indies ; increasing our dominions, and otherwise advanc- 
ing our authority in a most unheard-of manner.” 

It was unusual to see Don Ferdinand so excited, and he 
seemed conscious himself that he was making an extraor- 
dinary exhibition, for he immediately advanced to the 
queen, and, taking her hand, he led her toward his own 
cabinet. In passing out of the saloon he indicated to the 
three nobles that they might follow to the council. The 
king made this sudden movement more from habitual 
wariness than any settled object, his mind being disturbed 
in a way to which he was unaccustomed, while caution 
formed a part of his religion, as well as of his policy. It 
is not surprising, therefore, that when he and the party he 
invited to follow’ him had left the room, there remained 
only the princesses, the Marchioness of Moya, and Mer- 
cedes. No sooner had the king and queen disappeared, 
than the royal children retired to their own apartments, 
leaving our heroine, her guardian, and Sancho, the sole 
occupants of the saloon. The latter still remained on his 
knees, scarce heeding what had passed, so intently was he 
occupied with his own situation, and his own particular 
sources of satisfaction. 

“ Thou canst rise, friend,” observed Dona Beatriz ; ‘Their 
Highnesses are no longer present.” 

At this intelligence Sancho quitted his humble posture, 
brushed his knees with some care, and looked about him 
with the composure that he was wont to exhibit in study- 
ing the heavens at sea. 

“ Thou wert of Colon’s company, friend, by the manner 
in which thou hast spoken, and the circumstance that the 
admiral hath employed thee as his courier ?” 

“You may well believe that, Senora, your Excellency, 
for most of my time was passed at the helm, which was 
within three fathoms of the very spot that Don Christopher 
and the Senor de Muhos loved so well that they never 
quitted it, except to sleep, and not always then.” 

“ Hadst thou a Senor de Muhos of thy party ?” resumed 
the Marchioness, making a sign to her ward to control her 
feelings. 

“ That had we, Senora, and a Senor Gutierrez, and a cer- 
tain Don Somebody Else, and they all three did not occupy 
more room than one common man. Prithee, honorable 
and agreeable Senora, is there one Dona Beatriz de Cab- 
24 


370 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


rera, the Marchioness of Moya, a lady of the illustrious 
house of Bobadilla, anywhere about t lie court of our gra- 
cious queen ? ” 

“ I am she, and thou hast a message for me from this 
very Senor de Munos, of whom thou hast spoken.” 

“ I no longer wonder that there are great lords with 
their beautiful ladies, and poor sailors with wives that no 
one envies ! Scarce can I open my mouth, but it is known 
what I wish to say, which is knowledge to make one party 
great and the other party little ! Mass ! Don Christopher, 
himself, will need all his wit, if he journeyeth as far as 
Barcelona ! ” 

“Tell us of this Pedro de Munos ; for thy message is to 
me.” 

“ Then, Senora, I will tell you of your own brave neph- 
ew, the Conde de Llera, who goeth by two other names 
in the caravel, one of which is supposed to be a sham, 
while the other is still the greatest deception of the two.” 

“ Is it, then, known who my nephew really is ? Are 
many persons acquainted with his secret ? ” 

“Certainly, Sefiora ; it is known, firstly, to himself; 
secondly, to Don Christopher ; thirdly', to me ; fourthly, to 
Master Alonzo Pinzon, if he be still in the flesh, as most 
probably he is not. Then it is known to your ladyship ; 
and this beautiful Sehorita must have some suspicions of 
the matter.” 

“ Enough — I see the secret is not public ; though how 
one of thy class came to be of it, I cannot explain. Tell 
me of my nephew ; did he, too, write ? if so, let me, at 
once, peruse his letter.” 

“Senora, my departure took Don Luis by surprise, and 
he had no time to write. The admiral had given the 
princes and princesses, that we brought from Espanola, in 
charge to the Conde, and he had too much to do to be 
scribbling letters, else would he have written sheets to an 
aunt as respectable as yourself.” 

“ Princes and princesses ! — What mean you, friend, by 
such high-sounding terms ? ” 

“Only that we have brought several of these great 
personages to Spain, to pay their respects to their High- 
nesses. We deal with none of the common fry, Sefiora, 
but with the loftiest princes, and the most beautiful prin- 
cesses of the East.” 

“And dost thou really mean that persons of this high 
rank have returned with the admiral ? ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


37 1 


“ Out of all question, lady, and one of a beauty so rare, 
that the fairest dames of Castile need look to it, if they 
wish not to be outdone. She, in particular, is Don Luis’ 
friend and favorite.” 

“ Of whom speakest thou ? ” demanded Dona Beatriz, 
in the lofty manner in which she was wont to insist on 
being answered directly. “What is the name of this prin- 
cess, and whence doth she come ? ” 

“ Her name, your Excellency, is Dona Ozema de Hayti, 
of a part of which country her brother, Don Mattinao, is 
cacique or king, Senora Ozema being the heiress, or next 
of kin. Don Luis and your humble servant paid that 
court a visit ” 

“Thy tale is most improbable, fellow — art thou one 
whom Don Luis would be likely to select as a companion 
on such an occasion ? ” 

“ Look at it as you will, Senora, it is as true as that this 
is the court of Don Ferdinand and Doha Isabella. You 
must know, illustrious Marchioness, that the young count 
is a little given to roving about among us sailors, and on 
one occasion, a certain Sancho Mundo, of Moguer, hap- 
pened to be of the same voyage ; and thus we became 
known to each other. I kept the noble’s secret, and he got 
to be Sancho’s friend. When Don Luis went to pay a 
visit to Don Mattinao, the cacique, which word meaneth 
‘ your Highness,' in the eastern tongue, Sancho must go 
with him, and Sancho went. When King Caonabo came 
down from the mountains to carry off the Princess Doha 
Ozema for a wife, and the princess was unwilling to go, 
why there remained nothing to be done but for the Conde 
de Llera and his friend Sancho of the ship-yard-gate to 
fight the whole army in her defence, which we did, gaining 
as great a victory as Don Fernando, our sovereign master, 
ever gained over the Moors.” 

“ Carrying off the princess yourselves, as would seem ! 
Friend Sancho, of the ship-yard-gate, if that be thy appel- 
lation, this tale of thine is ingenious, but it lacketh proba- 
bility. Were I to deal justly by thee, honest Sancho, it 
would be to order thee the stripes thou meritest so we if, as 
a reward for this trifling.” 

“The man speaketh as he hath been taught,” observed 
Mercedes, in a low, unsteady voice ; ‘ I fear, Senora, there 
is too much truth in his tale ! ” 

“You need fear nothing, beautiful Sefiorita,” put in 
Sancho, altogether unmoved at the menace implied by the 


372 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


words of the Marchioness, “since the battle hath been 
fought, the victory hath been gained, and both the heroes 
escaped uninjured. This illustrious Sefiora, to whom I 
can forgive anything, as the aunt of the best friend I have 
on earth— anything spoken , I mean — will remember that 
the Haytians know nothing of arquebuses, by means of 
which we defeated Caonabo, and also, that many is the 
column of Moors that Don Luis hath broken singly, and 
by means of his own good lance.” 

“Ay, fellow,” answered Dona Beatriz, “but that hath 
been in the saddle, behind plaits of steel, and with a 
weapon that hath overturned even Alonzo de Ojedo !” 

“ Hast thou truly brought away with thee the princess 
thou hast named ?” asked Mercedes, earnestly. 

“ I swear to it, Senora and Senorita, illustrious ladies 
both, by the holy mass and all the saints in the calendar ! 
A princess, moreover, surpassing in beauty the daughters 
of our own blessed queen, if the fair ladies who passed out 
of this room, even now, are they, as I suspect.” 

“ Out upon thee, knave !” cried the indignant Beatriz ; 
“ I will no more of this, and marvel that my nephew 
should have employed one of so loose a tongue on any 
of his errands. Go to, and learn discretion ere the morn- 
ing, or the favor of even thy admiral will not save thy 
bones. Mercedes, we will seek our rest — the hour is 
late.” 

Sancho was immediately left alone, and in a minute a 
page appeared to show him to the place where he was to 
pass the night. The old mariner had grumbled a little to 
himself, concerning the spirit of Don Luis’ aunt, counted 
anew his gold, and was about to take possession of his 
pallet, when the same page reappeared to summon him to 
another interview. Sancho, who knew little distinction 
between night and day, made no objections, especially 
when he was told that his presence was required by the 
lovely Senorita, whose gentle, tremulous voice had so 
much interested him in the late interview. Mercedes re- 
ceived her rude guest in a small saloon of her own, after 
having parted from her guardian for the night. As he 
entered her face was flushed, her eye bright, and her 
whole demeanor, to one more expert in detecting female 
emotions, would have betrayed intense anxiety. 

“ Thou hast had a long and weary journey, Sancho,” said 
our heroine, when alone with the seaman, “ and, I pray 
thee, accept this gold, as a small pi oof of the interest with 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


373 


which I have heard the great tidings of which thou hast 
been the bearer.” 

“ Senorita ! ” exclaimed Sancho, affecting indifference 
to the doblas that fell into his hand, “ I hope you do not 
think me mercenary! the honor of being the messenger, 
and of being admitted to converse with such illustrious 
ladies, more than pays me for anything I could do.” 

“ Still, thou may’st need money for thy wants, and wilt 
not refuse that which a lady offereth.” 

“On that ground I would accept it, Dona Senorita, 
even were it twice as much.” 

So saying, Sancho placed the money, with a suitable 
resignation, by the side of that which he had previously 
received by order of the queen. Mercedes now found her- 
self in the situation that they who task their powers too 
much are often fated to endure ; in other words, now she 
had at command the means of satisfying her own doubts, 
she hesitated about using them. 

“Sancho,” Mercedes at length commenced, “thou hast 
been with the Senor Colon throughout this great and ex- 
traordinary voyage, and must know much that it will be 
curious for us, who have lived quietly in Spain, to hear. 
Is all thou hast said about the princes and princesses 
true ? ” 

“As true, Senorita, as such things need be for a history. 
Mass ! Any one who hath been in a battle, or seen any 
other great adventure, and then cometh to hear it read of 
afterward, will soon learn to understand the difference be- 
tween the thing itself and the history that may be given 
of it. Now, I was ” 

“ Never mind thy other adventures, good Sancho ; tell 
me only of this. Are there really a Prince Mattinao, and 
a Princess Ozema, his sister, and have both accompanied 
the admiral to Spain ?” 

“ I said not that, beautiful Senorita, for Don Mattinao 
remained behind to rule his people. It is only his hand- 
some sister who hath followed Don Christopher and Don 
Luis to Palos.” 

“ Followed ! Do the admiral and the Conde de Llera 
possess such influence over royal ladies as to induce them 
to abandon their native country and to follow them to a 
foreign land ? ” 

“Ay, Seftorita, that might seem out of rule in Castile, 
or Portugal, or even in France. But Hayti is not yet a 
Christian country, and a princess there may not be more 


374 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


than a noble lady in Castile, and, in the way of wardrobe, 
perhaps, not even as much. Still, a princess is a princess, 
and a handsome princess is a handsome princess. Doha 
Ozema, here, is a wonderful creature, and beginneth al- 
ready to prattle your pure Castilian, an’ she had been 
brought up at Toledo or Burgos. But Don Luis is a 
most encouraging master, and no doubt made great head- 
way during the time he was living in her palace, as it might 
be, alone with her, before that incarnate devil, Don Caon- 
abo, came down with his followers to seize the lady.” 

“ Is this lady a Christian princess, Sancho ? ” 

“ Heaven bless your own pure soul, Doha Sehorita, she 
can boast of but little in that way ; still, she hath made 
something of a beginning, as I see she now weareth a cross 
— one small in size, it is true, but precious in material, as in- 
deed it ought to be, seeing that it is a present from one as 
noble and rich as the Count of Llera.” 

“ A cross, say’st thou, Sancho ! ” interrupted Mercedes, 
almost gasping for breath, yet so far subduing her feel- 
ings as to prevent the old seaman from detecting them ; 
“ hath Don Luis succeeded in inducing her to accept of a 
cross ? ” 

“That hath he, Sehorita — one of precious stones that 
he once wore at his own neck.” 

“ Knowest thou the stones ? — was it of turquoise, embel- 
lished with the finest gold ?” 

“ For the gold I can answer, lady, though my learning 
hath never reached as high as the precious stones. The 
heavens of Hayti, however, are not bluer than the stones 
of that cross. Doha Ozema calls it ‘ Mercedes,’ by which 
I understand that she looketh for the mercies of the cruci- 
fixion to help her benighted soul.” 

“ Is this cross, then, held so common, that it hath got- 
ten to be the subject of discourse even for men of thy class ? ” 

“ Harkee, Senorita ; a man like me is more valued, on 
board a caravel, in a tossing sea, than he is likely to be 
here, in Barcelona, on solid ground. We went to Cipango 
to set up crosses, and to make Christians ; so that all hath 
been in character. As for the Lady Ozema, she taketh 
more notice of me than of another, as I was in the battle 
that rescued her from Caonabo, and so she showed me the 
cross the day we anchored in the Tagus, or just before the 
admiral ordered me to bring his letter to her Highness. 
Then it was that she kissed the cross, and held it to her 
heart, and said it was ‘ Mercedes.’ ” 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


375 


“ This is most strange, Sancho ! Hath this princess at- 
tendants befitting her rank and dignity ? ” 

“You forget, Senorita, that the Nina is but a small craft, 
as her name signifieth, and there would be no room for a 
large train of lords and ladies. Don Christopher and Don 
Luis are honorable enough to attend on any princess ; and 
for the rest, the Dona Ozema must wait until our gracious 
queen can command her a retinue befitting her birth. Be- 
sides, my lady, these Haytian dames are simpler than our 
Spanish nobles, half of them thinking clothes of no great 
use in that mild climate.” 

Mercedes looked offended and incredulous ; but her cu- 
riosity and interest were too active to permit her to send 
the man.away without further question. 

“And Don Luis de Bobadilla was ever with the admiral?” 
she said ; “ ever ready to support him, and foremost in all 
hazards ? ” 

“ Sefiorita, you describe the count as faithfully as if you 
had been present from first to last. Had you but seen him 
dealing out his blows upon Caonabo’s followers, and the 
manner in which he kept them all at bay, with the Dona 
Ozema near him, behind the rocks, it would have drawm 
tears of admiration from your own lovely eyes.” 

“ The Dona Ozema near him — behind rocks — and assail- 
ants held at bay ! ” 

“ Si, Seiiora ; you repeat it all like a book. It was much 
as you say, though the Lady Ozema did not content her- 
self with being behind the rocks, for, when the arrows came 
thickest, she rushed before the count, compelling the enemy 
to withhold, lest they should slay the very prize they were 
battling for ; thereby saving the life of her knight.” 

“ Saving his life ! — the life of Luis — of Don Luis de Bo- 
badilla — an Indian princess!” 

“ It is just as you say, and a most noble girl she is, asking 
pardon for speaking so light of oneof her high rank. Time 
and again, since that day, hath the young count told me 
that the arrows came in such clouds that his honor might 
have been tarnished by a retreat, or his life been lost, but 
for the timely resolution of the Dofia Ozema. She is a rare 
creature, Senorita, and you will love her as a sister, when 
you come to see and know her.” 

“Sancho,” said our heroine, blushing like the dawm, 
thou saidst that the Conde de Llera bade thee speak of him 
to his au"t ; did he mention no one else ? ” 

“No one, Senorita.” 


37 ^ 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“Art certain, Sancho ? Bethink thee well— did he men- 
tion no other name to thee ? ” 

“ Not that I can swear. It is true, that either he or old 
Diego, the helmsman, spoke of one Clara that keepeth an 
hosteria, here in Barcelona, as a place famous for its wine ; 
but I think it more likely to have been Diego than the 
count, as one thinketh much of these matters, and the other 
would not be apt to know aught of Clara.” 

“ Thou canst retire, Sancho,” said Mercedes, in a faint 
voice. “We will say more to thee in the morning.” 

Sancho was not sorry to be dismissed, and he gladly re- 
turned to his pallet, little- dreaming of the mischief he had 
done by the mixture of truth and exaggeration that he had 
been recounting. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

“ Mac- Homer, too, in prose or song, 

By the state-papers of Buffan, 

To deep reseai'ches led ; 

A Gallo-Celtic scheme may botch, 

To prove the Ourang race were Scotch, 

Who from the Highlands fled.” 

— Lord John Townshxnd. 

The intelligence of the return of Columbus, and of the 
important discoveries he had made, spread through Eu- 
rope like wild-fire. It soon got to be, in the general esti- 
mation, the great event of the age. For several years 
afterward, or until the discovery of the Pacific by Balboa, 
it was believed that the Indies had been reached by the 
western passage, and, of course, the problem of the earth’s 
spherical shape was held to be solved by actual experi- 
ment. The transactions of the voyage, the wonders seen, 
the fertility of the soil of the east, the softness of its cli- 
mate, its treasures in gold, spices and pearls, and the curi- 
ous things that the admiral had brought as proofs of his 
success, were all the themes of the hour. Men never 
wearied in discussing the subjects. For many centuries 
had the Spaniards been endeavoring to expel the Moors 
from the Peninsula ; but as that much-desired event had 
been the result of time and a protracted struggle, even its 
complete success seemed tame and insignificant compared 
with the sudden brilliancy that shone around the western 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


377 


discoveries. In a word, the pious rejoiced in the hope of 
spreading the gospel ; the avaricious feasted their imagi- 
nations on untold hoards of gold; the politic calculated 
the increase of the power of Spain ; the scientific exulted 
in the triumph of mind over prejudice and ignorance, 
while they hoped for still greater accessions of knowl- 
edge ; and the enemies of Spain wondered and deferred, 
even while they envied. 

The first days that succeeded the arrival of Columbus’ 
courier were days of delight and curiosity. Answers were 
sent soliciting his early presence, high honors were prof- 
fered to him, and his name filled all mouths, as his glory 
was in the heart of every true Spaniard. Orders were 
issued to make the necessary outfits for a new voyage, and 
little was talked of but the discovery and its consequences. 
In this manner passed a month when the admiral arrived 
at Barcelona, attended by most of the Indians he had 
brought with him from the islands. His honors were of 
the noblest kind, the sovereigns receiving him on a throne 
placed in a public hall, rising at his approach, and insist- 
ing on his being seated himself, a distinction of the high- 
est nature, and usually granted only to princes of royal 
blood. Here the admiral related the history of his voy- 
age, exhibited the curiosities he had brought with him, 
and dwelt on his hopes of future benefits. When the tale 
was told all present knelt and Te Deum was chanted by 
the usual choir of the court, even Ferdinand’s stern nature 
dissolving into tears of grateful joy at this unlooked-for 
and magnificent behest of heaven. 

For a long time Columbus was the mark of every eye ; 
nor did his honors and consideration cease until he left 
Spain, in command of the second expedition to the east, 
as the voyage was then termed. 

A few days previously to the arrival of the admiral at 
court Don Luis de Bobadilla suddenly appeared in Bar- 
celona. On ordinary occasions the movements of one of 
the rank and peculiarities of the young grandee would 
have afforded a topic for the courtiers that would not soon 
have been exhausted, but the all-engrossing theme of the 
great voyage afforded him a screen. His presence, how- 
ever, could not escape notice, and it was whispered, with 
the usual smiles and shrugs, that he had entered the port 
in a caravel, coming from the Levant ; and it was one of 
the received pleasantries of the hour to say, in an under- 
tone, that the young Conde de Llera had also made the 


37 ^ 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


eastern voyage. All this gave our hero little concern, and 
he was soon pursuing his ordinary life when near the per- 
sons of the sovereigns. The day that Columbus was re- 
ceived in state he was present in the hall, attired in the 
richest vestments, and no noble of Spain did more credit 
to his lineage, or his condition, than Don Luis by his mien 
and carriage. It was remarked that Isabella smiled on 
him during the pageant ; but the head of more than one 
wary observer was shaken as its owner remarked how 
grave the queen’s favorite appeared for an occasion so 
joyous; a fact that was attributed to the unworthy pur- 
suits of her truant nephew. No one that day gazed at 
Luis with more delight than Sancho, who lingered at Bar- 
celona to share in the honors of his chief, and who, in vir- 
tue of his services, was permitted to take his place among 
the courtiers themselves. Not a little admiration was ex- 
cited by the manner in which he used the novel weed 
called tobacco ; and some fifteen or twenty of his neigh- 
bors were nauseated by their efforts to emulate his indul- 
gence and satisfaction. One of his exploits was of a 
character so unusual, and so well illustrates the feeling of 
the hour; that it may be well to record it in detail. 

The reception was over, and Sancho was quitting the 
hall with the rest of the crowd, when he was accosted by a 
man, apparently of forty, well attired, and of agreeable 
manner, who desired the honor of his presence at a slight 
entertainment, of which several had been prepared for the 
admiral and his friends. Sancho, nothing loth, the de- 
lights of distinction being yet so novel, cheerfully com- 
plied, and he was quickly led to a room of the palace, 
where he found a party of some twenty young nobles as- 
sembled to do him honor ; for happy was he that da.y in 
Barcelona who could get even one of the meanest of Co- 
lumbus’ followers to accept of his homage. No sooner 
did the two enter the room, than the young Castilian lords 
crowded around them, covering Sancho with protestations 
of admiration, and addressing eager questions, a dozen at 
a time, to his companion, whom they styled “ Senor Pedro,” 
“ Senor Matir,” and occasionally “Senor Pedro Matir.” It 
is scarcely necessary to add that this person was the his- 
torian, who has become known to us of these latter days as 
“ Peter Martyr,” an Italian, to whose care and instruction 
Isabella had entrusted most of the young nobles of the 
court. The present interview had been got up to indulge 
the natural curiosity of the youthful lords, and Sancho had 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


379 


been chosen for the occasion, on the principle that when 
the best is denied us we must be content to accept infor- 
mation of an inferior quality 

“ Congratulate me, Senores,” cried Peter Martyr, as soon 
as he could find an opportunity to speak, “since my suc- 
cess surpasseth our own hopes. As for the Liguirian, him- 
self, and all of high condition about him, they are in the 
hands of the most illustrious of Spain for this day ; but 
here is a most worthy pilot, no doubt the second in au- 
thority on board one of the caravels, who consenteth to do 
us honor, and to partake of our homely cheer. I drew 
him from a crowd of applicants, and have not yet had an 
opportunity to inquire his name, which he is about to give 
us of his own accord.” 

Sancho never wanted for self-possession, and had far too 
much mother-wit to be either clownish or offensively vul- 
gar, though the reader is not now to be told that he was 
neither qualified to be an academician, nor had the most 
profound notions of natural philosophy. He assumed 
an air of suitable dignity, therefore, and, somewhat prac- 
tised in his new vocation by the thousand interrogatories 
he had answ T ered in the last month, he disposed himself 
to do credit to the information of a man w T ho had visited 
the Indies. 

“ I am called Sancho Mundo, Senores, at your service — 
sometimes Sancho of the ship-yard -gate, though I would 
prefer now to be called Sancho of the Indies, unless, in- 
deed, it should suit his Excellency Don Christopher to 
take that appellation — his claim being somewhat better 
than mine.” 

Here several protested that his claims were of the high- 
est order ; and then followed sundry introductions to 
Sancho of the ship-yard-gate of several young men of the 
first families in Castile ; for, though the Spaniards have 
not the same mania* for this species of politeness as the 
Americans, the occasion was one in which native feeling 
got the ascendency of conventional reserve. After this 
ceremony, and the Mendozas, Guzmans, Cerdas, and To- 
ledos present felt honored in knowing this humble 
seaman, the whole party repaired to the banqueting- 
rootn, where a table was spread that did credit to the 
cooks of Barcelona. During the repast, although the 
curiosity of the young men made some inroads on their 
breeding in this particular, no question could induce 
Sancho to break in upon the duty of the moment, for 


38 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


which he entertained a sort of religious veneration. Once, 
when pushed a little more closely than common, he laid 
down his knife and fork, and made the following solemn 
reply : 

“ Senores,” he said, “ I look upon food as a gift from 
God to man, and hold it to be irreverent to converse much 
when the bounties of the table invite us to do homage to 
this great dispenser. Don Christopher is of this way of 
thinking, I know, and all his followers imitate their be- 
loved and venerated chief. As soon as I am ready to con- 
verse, Senores Don Hidalgos, you shall be told of it, and 
then God help the ignorant and silly ! ” 

After this admonition there remained nothing to be said 
until Sancho’s appetite was satisfied, when he drew% little 
back from the table, and announced his readiness to pro" 
ceed. 

“ I profess to very little learning, Senor Pedro Martir,” 
he said ; “ but what I have seen I have seen, and that 
which is known is as well known by a mariner as by a 
doctor of Salamanca. Ask your questions, then, o’ heav- 
en’s sake, and expect such answers as a poor but honest 
man can give.” 

The learned Peter Martyr was fain to make the best of 
his subject, for at that moment any information that came 
from what might be termed first hands w^as greedily re- 
ceived ; he proceeded, therefore, to his inquiries, as simply 
and as directly as he had been invited to do. 

“Well, Seflor,” commenced the man of learning, “we 
are willing to obtain knowledge on any terms. Prithee, 
tell us at once which of all the wonderful things that you 
witnessed on this voyage hath made the deepest impression 
on your mind, and strikest you as the most remarkable ?” 

“I know nothing to compare with the whiffling of the 
north star,” said Sancho, promptly. “ That star hath 
always been esteemed among us seamen as being immov- 
able as the cathedral of Seville ; but in this voyage it hath 
been seen to change its place with the inconstancy of the 
winds.” 

“ That is, indeed, miraculous ! ” exclaimed Peter Martyr, 
who scarcely knew how to take the intelligence ; “perhaps 
. there is some mistake, Master Sancho, and you are not 
accustomed to sidereal investigations.” 

“ Ask Don Christopher ; when the phernomerthon, as 
the admiral called it, was first observed, we talked the 
matter over together, and came to the conclusion that 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


38i 


nothing in this world was as permanent as it seemed to be. 
Depend on it, Sefior Don Pedro, the north star flits about 
like a weathercock.” 

“ I shall inquire into this of the illustrious admiral ; but, 
next to this star, Master Sancho. what deem you most 
worthy of observation ? I speak now of ordinary things, 
leaving science to future discussion.” 

This was too grave a question to be lightly answered, 
and, while Sancho was cogitating the matter, the door 
opened, and Luis de Bobadilla entered the room in a blaze 
of manly grace and rich attire. A dozen voices uttered 
his name, and Peter Martyr rose to receive him, with a 
manner in which kindness of feeling was blended with 
reproof. 

“ I asked this honor, Sefior Conde,” he said, “ though 
you have now been beyond my counsel and control some 
time, for it appeared to me that one fond of voyages as 
yourself might find a useful lesson, as well as enjoy a high 
satisfaction, in listening to the wonders of an expedition 
as glorious as this of Colon’s. This worthy seaman, a 
pilot, no doubt, much confided in by the admiral, hath 
consented to share in our poor hospitalities on this memo- 
rable day, and is about to give us many interesting facts 
and incidents of the great adventure. Master Sancho 
Mundo, this is Don Luis de Bobadilla, Conde de Llera, a 
grandee of high lineage, and one that is not unknown to 
the seas, having often traversed them in his own person.” 

“ It is quite unnecessary to tell me that, Sefior Pedro,” 
answered Sancho, returning Luis’ gay and graceful saluta- 
tion, with profound but awkward respect, “ since I see it 
at a glance. His Excellency hath been in the east, as well 
as Don Christopher and myself, though we went different 
ways, and neither party went as far as Cathay. I am hon- 
ored in your acquaintance, Don Luis, and shall just say 
that the noble admiral will bring navigation more in 
fashion than it hath been of late years. If you travel in 
the neighborhood of Moguer, I beg you will not pass the 
door of Sancho Mundo without stopping to inquire if he 
be within.” 

“ That I most cheerfully promise, worthy master,” said 
Luis, laughing, and taking a seat, “ even though it lead 
me to the ship-yard-gate. And now, Sefior Pedro, let me 
not interrupt the discourse, which I discovered was most 
interesting as I entered.” 

“ I have been thinking of this matter, Sefiores,” resumed 


3 82 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Sancho, gravely, “and the fact that appears most curious 
to me, next to* the whiffling of the north star, is the cir- 
cumstance that there are no doblas in Cipango. Gold is 
not wanting, and it seemeth passing singular that a people 
should possess gold, and not bethink them of the conve- 
nience of striking doblas, or some similar coin.” 

Peter Martyr and his young pupils laughed at this sally, 
and then the subject was pushed in another form. 

“ Passing by this question, which belongeth rather to 
the policy of states than to natural phenomena,” continued 
Peter Martyr, “what most struck you as remarkable, in 
the way of human nature ? ” 

“ In that particular, Sefior, I think the island of the 
women may be set down as the most extraordinary of all 
the phernomerthons we fell in with. I have known women 
shut themselves up in convents ; and men, too ; but never 
did I hear, before this voyage, of either shutting them- 
selves up in islands!” 

“And is this true ?” inquired a dozen voices, “did you 
really meet with such an island, Senor ? ” 

“ I believe we saw it at a distance, Sehores ; and I hold 
it to be lucky that we went no nearer, for I find the gossips 
of Moguer troublesome enough, without meeting a whole 
island of them. Then there is the bread that grows like a 
root — what think you of that, Sefior Don Luis ? Is it not a 
most curious dish to taste of ? ” 

“Nay, Master Sancho, that is a question of your own 
putting, and it must be one of your own answering. What 
know I of the wonders of Cipango, since Candia lieth in 
an opposite course ? Answer these matters for thyself, 
friend.” 

“ True, illustrious Conde, and I humbly crave your par- 
don. It is, indeed, the duty of him that seeth to relate, as 
it is the duty of him that seeth not to believe. I hope all 
here will perform their several duties.” 

“Do these Indians eat flesh as remarkable as their 
bread ?” inquired a Cerda. 

“ That do they, noble sir, seeing that they eat each 
other. Neither I nor Don Christopher was invited to any 
of their feasts of this sort; for I suppose they were well 
convinced we would not go ; but we had much information 
touching them, and by the nearest calculation I could 
make, the consumption of men in the island of Bohio must 
be about equal to that of beeves in Spain.” 

The speaker was interrupted by twenty exclamations of 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


383 


disgust, and Peter Martyr shook his head like one who dis- 
trusted the truth of the account. Still, as he had not ex- 
. pected any very profound philosophy or deep learning in 
one of Sancho’s character, he pursued the conversation. 

“ Know you anything of the rare birds the admiral ex- 
hibited to their Highnesses to-day ? ” he asked. 

•“ Sefior, I am well acquainted with several, more par- 
ticularly with the parrots. They are sensible birds, and, I 
doubt not, might answer some of the questions that are 
put to me by many here, in Barcelona, to their perfect 
satisfaction.” 

“ Thou art a wag, I see, Senor Sancho, and lovest thy 
joke,” answered the man of learning, with a smile. “ Give 
way to thy fancy, and if thou canst not improve us with 
thy science, at least amuse us with thy conceits.” 

“San Pedro knows that I would do anything to oblige 
you, Sefiores ; but I was born with such a love of truth in 
my heart that I know not how to embellish. What I see I 
believe, and, having been in the Indies, I cannot shut my 
eyes to their wonders. There was the sea of weeds, which 
was no every-day miracle, since I make no doubt that the 
devils piled all these plants on the water to prevent us 
from carrying the cross to the poor heathens who dwell on 
the other side of them. We got through that sea more by 
our prayers than by means of the winds.” 

The young men looked at Peter Martyr, to ascertain 
liow he received this theory, and Peter Martyr, if tinctured 
with the superstition of the age, was not disposed to swal- 
low all that it pleased Sancho to assert, even though the 
latter had made a voyage to the Indies. 

“Since you manifest so much curiosity, Sefiores, on the 
subject of Colon, now Admiral of the Ocean Sea by their 
Highnesses’ honorable appointment, I will, in a measure, 
relieve your minds on the subject by recounting what I 
know,” said Luis, speaking calmly, but with dignity. “Ye 
know that I was much with Don Christopher before he 
sailed, and that I had some little connection with bringing 
him back to Santa Fe, even when he had left the place, as 
Qvas supposed for the last time. This intimacy hath been 
renewed since the arrival of the great Genoese at Barce- 
lona, and hours have we passed together in private, dis- 
coursing on the events of the last few months. What I 
have thus learned I am ready to impart, if ye will do me 
the grace to listen.” 

The whole company giving an eager assent, Luis now 


3^4 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


commenced a general narrative of the voyage, detailing all 
the leading circumstances of interest, and giving the rea- 
sons that were most in favor at the time concerning the 
different phenomena that had perplexed the adventurers. * 
He spoke more than an hour ; proceeding consecutively 
from island to island, and dilating on their productions, 
imaginary and real. Much that he related proceeded from 
" the misconceptions of the admiral, and misinterpretations 
of the signs and language of the Indians, as a matter of 
course ; but it was all told clearly, in elegant, if not in elo- 
quent language, and with a singular air of truth. In short, 
our hero palmed upon his audience the result of his own 
observation as the narrative of the admiral, and more than 
once was he interrupted by bursts of admiration at the 
vividness and graphic beauties of his descriptions. Even 
Sancho listened with delight, and when the young man 
concluded he rose from his chair and exclaimed heartily : 

“ Senores, you may take all this as so much gospel ! Had 
the noble Sehor witnessed himself that which he hath so 
well described, it could not have been truer, and I look on 
myself to be particularly fortunate to have heard this his- 
tory of the voyage, which henceforth shall be my history, 
word for word ; for as my patron saint shall remember me, 
naught else will I tell to the gossips of Moguer, when I 
get back to that blessed town of my childhood.” 

Sancho’s influence was much impaired by the effects of 
Luis’ narrative, which Peter Martyr pronounced to be one 
that would have done credit to a scholar who had accom- 
panied the expedition. A few appeals were made to the 
old seaman, to see if he would corroborate the statements 
he had just heard, but his protestations became so much 
the louder in behalf of the accuracy of the account. 

It was wonderful how much reputation the Conde de 
Llera obtained by this little deception. To be able to 
repeat, with accuracy and effect, language that was sup- 
posed to have fallen from the lips of Columbus, was a sort 
of illustration ; and Peter Martyr, who justly enjoyed a 
high reputation for intelligence, was heard sounding the 
praises of our hero in all places, his young pupils echoing) 
his words with the ardor and imitation of youth ! Such, 
indeed, was the vast reputation obtained by the Genoese, 
that one gained a species of reflected renown by being 
thought to live in his confidence, and a thousand follies of 
the Count of Llera, real or imaginary, were forgotten in 
the fact that the admiral had deemed him worthy of being 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


385 


the repository of facts and feelings such as he had related. 
As Luis, moreover, was seen to be much in the company 
of Don Christopher, the world was very willing to give 
the young man credit for qualities that, by some unex- 
plained circumstance, had hitherto escaped its notice. In 
this manner did Luis de Bobadilla reap some advantages, 
of a public character, from his resolution and enterprise, 
although vastly less than would have attended an open 
admission of all that occurred. How far,' and in what 
manner, these qualities availed him in his suit with Mer- 
cedes will appear in our subsequent pages. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

“ Each look, each motion, waked a new-born grace, 

That o’er her form its transient glory cast : 

Some lovelier wonder soon usurp’d the place, 

Chased by a charm still lovelier than the last.” — Mason. 


The day of the reception of Columbus at Barcelona had 
been one of tumultuous feelings and of sincere delight, with 
the ingenuous and pure-minded Queen of Castile. She 
had been the moving spirit of the enterprise, as it was 
connected with authority ^ and means, and never was a 
sovereign more amply rewarded by a consciousness of the 
magnitude of the results that followed her well-meant and 
zealous efforts. 

When the excitement and bustle of the day were over, 
Isabella retired to her closet, and there, as was usual with her 
on all great occasions, she poured out her thankfulness on 
her knees, entreating the Divine Providence to sustain 
her under the new responsibilities she felt, and to direct 
her steps aright, equally as a sovereign and as a Christian 
woman. She had left the attitude of prayer but a few 
minutes, and was seated with her head leaning on her 
hand, in deep meditation, when a slight knock at the door 
called her attention. There was but one person in Spain 
who would be likely to take even this liberty, guarded and 
modest as was the tap ; rising, she turned the key and ad- 
mitted the king. 

Isabella was still beautiful. Her form, always of admirable 
perfection, still retained its grace. Her eyes had lost but little 
of their lustre, and her smile, ever sweet and beneficent, 
25 


386 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


failed not to reflect the pure and womanly impulses of her 
heart. In a word, her youthful beauty had been but little 
impaired by the usual transition to the matronly attrac- 
tions of a w*ife and a mother ; but this night all her youth- 
ful charms seemed to be suddenly renewed. Her cheek 
was flushed with holy enthusiasm ; her figure dilated with 
the sublimity of the thoughts in which she had been in- 
dulging ; and her eyes beamed with the ennobling hopes 
of religious enthusiasm. Ferdinand was struck with this 
little change, and he stood admiring her for a minute, in 
silence, after he had closed the door. 

“ Is not this a most wonderful reward for efforts so small, 
my husband and love ?” exclaimed the queen, who fancied 
the king’s thoughts similar to her own ; “ a new empire thus 
cheaply purchased, with riches that the imagination can- 
not tell, and millions of souls to be redeemed from eternal 
woe, by means of a grace that must be as unexpected to 
themselves as the knowledge of their existence hath been 
to us ! ” 

“ Ever thinking, Isabella, of the welfare of souls ! But 
thou art right ; for what are the pomps and glories of the 
world to the hopes of salvation, and the delights of 
heaven ! I confess Colon hath much exceeded all my 
hopes, and raised such a future for Spain, that the mind 
scarce knoweth where to place the limits to its pictures.” 

“Think of the millions of poor Indians that may live to 
bless our sway, and to feel the influence and consolations 
of holy church ! ” 

“ I trust that our kinsman and neighbor, Dom Joao, will 
not give us trouble in this matter. Your Portuguese have 
so keen an appetite for discoveries that they little relish 
the success of other powers ; and it is said many dangerous 
and wicked proposals were made to the king, even while 
our caravels lay in the Tagus.” 

“Colon assureth me, Fernando, th^t he doubteth if 
these Indians have now any religious creed, so that our 
ministers will have no prejudices to encounter in pre- 
senting to their simple minds the sublime truths of the 
gospel ! ” 

“ No doubt the admiral hath fully weighed these matters. 
It is his opinion that the island he hath called Espanola 
wanteth but little of being of the full dimensions of Cas- 
tile, Leon, Aragon, Granada, and, indeed, of all our pos- 
sessions within the peninsula ! ” 

“ Didst thou attend to what he said, touching the gentle- 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 8 7 


ness and mildness of the inhabitants ? And wert thou not 
struck with the simple, confiding aspects of those he hath 
brought with him ? Such a people may readily be brought, 
first, as is due, to worship the one true and living God, 
and next, to regard their sovereigns as kind and benignant 
parents.” 

“ Authority can ever make itself respected ; and Don 
Christopher hath assured me, in a private conference, that 
a thousand tried lances would overrun all that eastern re- 
gion. We must make early application to the Holy Father 
to settle such limits between us and Don John as may pre- 
vent disputes hereafter touching our several interests. I 
have already spoken to the cardinal on this subject, and 
he flattereth me with the hope of having the ear of Alex- 
ander.” 

“ I trust that the means of disseminating the faith of the 
cross will not be overlooked in the negotiation ; for it 
paineth me to find churchmen treating of worldly things, 
to the utter neglect of those of their Great Master.” 

Don Ferdinand regarded his wife intently for an instant, 
without making any reply. He perceived, as often hap- 
pened in questions of policy, that their feelings were not 
exactly attuned, and he had recourse to an allusion that 
seldom failed to draw the thoughts of Isabella from their 
loftier aspirations to considerations more worldly when 
rightly applied. 

“Thy children, Dona Isabella, will reap a goodly heri- 
tage by the success of this, our latest and greatest stroke of 
policy ! Thy dominions and mine will henceforth descend 
in common to the same heir; then this marriage in Portu- 
gal may open the way to new accessions of territory ? 
Granada is already secured to thine by our united arms ; 
and here hath Providence opened the way to an empire in 
the east that promiseth to outdo all that hath yet been per- 
formed in Europe.” 

“Are not my children thine, Fernando? Can good 
happen to one without its equally befalling the other ? I 
trust they will learn to understand why so many new sub- 
jects and such wide territories are added to their posses- 
sions, and will ever remain true to their highest and first 
duty, that of spreading the gospel, that the sway of the 
one Catholic church may the more speedily be accom- 
plished.” 

“Still it may be necessary to secure advantages that are 
offered in a worldly shape, by worldly means.” 


3 88 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


“ Thou say’st true, my lord ; and it is the proper care 
of loving parents to look well to the interest of their off- 
spring in this, as in all other particulars.” 

Isabella now lent a more willing ear to the politic sug- 
gestions of her consort, and they passed an hour in dis- 
cussing some of the important measures that it was thought 
their joint interests required should be immediately at- 
tended to. After this, Ferdinand saluted his wife affection- 
ately, aqd withdrew to his own cabinet, to labor, as usual, 
until his frame demanded rest. 

Isabella sat musing for a few minutes after the king had 
retired, and then she took a light and proceeded through 
certain private passages, with which she was familiar, to 
the apartment of her daughters. Here she spent an hour, 
indulging in the affections and discharging the duties of a 
careful mother, when, embracing each in turn, she gave 
her blessings, and left the place in the same simple man- 
ner as she had entered. Instead, however, of returning to 
her own part of the palace, she pursued her way in an op- 
posite direction, until, reaching a private door, she . gently 
tapped. A voice within bade her enter, and complying, 
the Queen of Castile found herself alone with her old and 
tried friend, the Marchioness of Moya. A quiet gesture 
forbade all the usual testimonials of respect, and knowing 
her mistress’ wishes in this particular, the hostess received 
her illustrious guest much as she would have received an 
intimate of her own rank in life. 

“We have had so busy and joyful a day, Daughter-Mar- 
chioness,” the queen commenced, quietly setting down the 
little silver lamp she carried, “that I had near forgotten a 
duty which ought not to be overlooked. Thy nephew, the 
Count de Llera, hath returned to court, bearing himself as 
modestly and as prudently as if he had no share in the 
glory of this great success of Colon’s ! ” 

“Senora, Luis is here, but whether prudent or modest, I 
leave for others, who may be less partial, to say.” 

“ To me such seemeth to be his deportment, and a young 
mind might be pardoned some exultation at such a result. 
But I have come to speak of Don Luis and thy ward. Now 
that thy nephew hath given me this high proof of his per- 
severance and courage, there can remain no longer any 
reason for forbidding their union. Thou know’st that I 
hold the pledged word of Dona Mercedes, not to marry 
without my consent, and this night will I make her happy 
as I feel myself, by leaving her mistress of her own wishes ; 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


3 8 9 

nay, by letting her know that I desire to see her Countess 
of Llera, and that right speedily.” 

“Your Highness is all goodness to me and mine,” re- 
turned the Marchioness, coldly. “ Mercedes ought to feel 
deeply grateful that her royal mistress hath a thought for 
her welfare, when her mind hath so many greater concerns 
to occupy it.” 

“ It is that, my friend, that hath brought me hither at 
this late hour. My soul is truly burdened with gratitude, 
and ere I sleep, were it possible, I would fain make all as 
blessed as I feel myself. Where is thy ward ? ” 

“ She left me for the night, but as your Highness en- 
tered. I ivill summon her to hear your pleasure.” 

“We will go to her, Beatriz ; tidings such as I bring 
should not linger on weary feet.” 

“ It is her duty, and it would be her pleasure to pay all 
respect, Senora.” 

“I know that well, Marchioness, but it is my pleasure to 
bear this news myself,” interrupted the queen, leading the 
way to the door. “ Show thou the way, which is better 
known to thee than to another. We go with little state 
and ceremony, as thou seest, like Colon going forth to ex- 
plore his unknown seas, and we go bearers of tidings as 
grateful to thy ward, as those the Genoese bore to the be- 
nighted natives of Cipango. These corridors are our track- 
less seas, and all these intricate passages, the hidden ways 
we are to explore.” 

“ Heaven grant your Highness make not some discovery 
as astounding as that which the Genoese hath just divulged. 
For myself, I scarce know whether to believe all things, or 
to grant faith to none.” 

“ I wonder not at thy surprise ; it is a feeling that hath 
overcome all others, through the late extraordinary events,” 
answered the queen, evidently misconceiving the meaning 
of her friend’s words. “ But we have still another pleasure 
in store ; that of witnessing the joy of a pure female heart 
which hath had its trials, and which hath borne them as 
became a Christian maiden.” 

Dona Beatriz sighed heavily, but she made no answer. 
By this time they were crossing the little saloon in which 
Mercedes was permitted to receive her female acquaint- 
ances, and were near the door of her chamber. Here they 
met a maid, who hastened onward to inform her mistress 
of the visit she was about to receive. Isabella was accus- 
tomed to use a mother’s liberties with those she loved, and 


39 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


opening the door, without ceremony, she stood before our 
heroine, ere the latter could advance to meet her. 

“ Daughter,” commenced the queen, seating herself, and 
smiling benignantly on the startled girl, “ I have come to 
discharge a solemn duty. Kneel thou here, at my feet, 
and listen to thy sovereign as thou wouldst listen to a 
mother.” 

Mercedes gladly obeyed, for, at that moment, anything 
was preferable to being required to speak. When she had 
knelt, the queen passed an arm affectionately round her 
neck, and drew her closer to her person, until, by a little 
gentle violence, the face of Mercedes was hid in the folds 
of Isabella’s robe. 

“ I have all reason to extol thy faith and duty, child,” 
said the queen, as soon as this little arrangement to favor 
the feelings of Mercedes, had been considerately made ; 
“thou hast not forgotten thy promise, in aught ; and my 
object now is to leave thee mistress of thine own inclina- 
tions, and to remove all impediments to their exercise. 
Thou hast no longer any pledge with thy sovereign ; for 
one who hath manifested so much discretion and delicacy 
may be surely trusted with her own happiness.” 

Mercedes continued silent, though Isabella fancied that 
she felt a slight shudder passing convulsively through her 
delicate frame. 

“ No answer, daughter ? Is it more preferable to leave 
another arbitress of thy fate, than to exercise that office 
for thyself ? Well, then, as thy sovereign and parent, I 
will substitute command for consent, and tell thee it is my 
wish and desire that thou becomest, as speedily as shall 
comport with propriety and thy high station, the wedded 
wife of Don Luis de Bobadilla, Conde de Llera.” 

“ No — no — no — Sehora — never — never” — murmured 
Mercedes, her voice equally stifled by her emotions, and by 
the manner in which she had buried her face in the dress 
of the queen. 

Isabella looked at the Marchioness of Moya in wonder. 
Her countenance did not express either displeasure or re- 
sentment, for she too well knew the character of our 
heroine to suspect caprice, or any weak prevarication in a 
matter that so deeply touched the feelings ; and the con- 
cern she felt was merely overshadowed at the suddenness 
of the intelligence, by a feeling of ungovernable surprise. 

“ Canst thou explain this, Beatriz ?” the queen at length 
inquired. “ Have I done harm where I most intended 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


39i 


good ? I am truly unfortunate, for I appear to have deeply 
wounded the heart of this child, at the very moment I fan- 
cied I was conferring supreme happiness ! ” 

“No — no — no — Senora,” again murmured Mercedes, 
clinging convulsively to the queen’s knees. “ Your High- 
ness hath wounded no one — would wound no one — can 
wound no one — you are all gracious goodness and thought- 
fulness.” 

“ Beatriz, I look to thee for" the explanation ! Hath 
aught justifiable occurred to warrant this change of feel- 
ing ? ” 

“ I fear, dearest Senora, that the feelings continue too 
much as formerly, and that the change is not in this young 
and unpractised heart, but in the fickle inclinations of 
man.” 

A flash of womanly indignation darted from the usually 
serene eyes of the queen, and her form assumed all of its 
native majesty. 

“ Can this be true ? ” she exclaimed. “ Would a subject 
of Castile dare thus to trifle with his sovereign — thus to 
trifle with one sweet and pure as this girl — thus to trifle 
with his faith with God ! If the reckless Conde thinketh 
to do these acts of wrongfulness with impunity, let him 
look to it ! Shall I punish him that merely depriveth his 
neighbor of some paltry piece of silver, and let him escape 
who woundeth the soul ? I wonder at thy calmness, 
Daughter-Marchioness ; thou, who art so wont to let an 
honest indignation speak out in the just language of a 
fearless and honest spirit ! ” 

“ Alas ! Senora, my beloved mistress, my feelings have 
had vent already, and nature will no more. This boy, 
moreover, is my brother’s son, and when I would fain 
arouse a resentment against him, such as befitteth his 
offence, the image of that dear brother, whose very pict- 
ure he is, hath arisen to my mind in a way to weaken all 
its energy.” 

“ This is most unusual ! A creature so fair — so young — 
so noble — so rich — every way so excellent, to be so soon 
forgotten ! Canst thou account for it by any wandering 
inclination, Lady of Moya ? ” 

Isabella spoke musingly, and, as one of her high rank 
is apt to overlook minor considerations, when the feelings 
are strongly excited, she did not remember that Mercedes 
was a listener. The convulsive shudder that again shook 
the frame of our heroine, however, did not fail to remind 


392 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


her of this fact, and the queen could not have pressed the 
Princess Juana more fondly to her heart, than she now 
drew the yielding form of our heroine. 

“What would you, Sehora ? ” returned the marchioness, 
bitterly. “ Luis, thoughtless and unprincipled boy as he 
is, hath induced a youthful Indian princess to abandon 
home and friends, under the pretence of swelling the 
triumph of the admiral, but really, in obedience to a 
wandering fancy, and in “Submission to those evil caprices, 
that make men what, in sooth, they are and which so often 
render unhappy women their dupes and their victims.” 

“An Indian princess, say’st thou? The admiral made 
one of that rank known to us, but she was already a wife, 
and far from being one to rival Doha Mercedes of Val- 
verde.” 

“Ah ! dearest Senora, she of whom you speak will not 
compare with her I mean — Ozema — for so is the Indian 
lady called — Ozema is a different being, and is not with- 
out high claims to personal beauty. Could mere personal 
appearances justify the conduct of the boy, he would not 
be altogether without excuse.” 

“ How know’st thou this, Beatriz ? ” 

“Because, your Highness, Luis hath brought her to the 
palace, and she is, at this moment, in these very apart- 
ments. Mercedes hath received her like a sister even 
while the stranger hath unconsciously crushed her heart.” 

“Here, say’st thou, Marchioness ? Then can there be 
no vicious union between the thoughtless young man and 
the stranger. The nephew would not thus presume to 
offend virtue and innocence.” 

“Of that we complain not, Senora. ’Tis the boyish 
inconstancy and thoughtless cruelty of the count, that hath 
awakened my feelings against him. Never have I endeav- 
ored to influence my ward to favor his suit, for I would 
not that they should have it in their power to say I sought 
a union so honorable and advantageous to our house ; but 
now do I most earnestly desire her to steel her noble heart 
to his unworthiness.” 

“Ah! Senora — my guardian,” murmured Mercedes, 
“ Luis is not so very culpable. Ozema’s beauty, and my own 
want of the means to keep him true, are alone to blame.” 

“Ozema’s beauty!” slowly repeated the queen. “Is 
this young Indian, then, so very perfect, Beatriz, that thy 
ward need fear or envy her? I did not think that such a 
being lived ! ” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


393 


“ Your Highness knoweth how it is with men. They 
love novelties, and are most captivated with the freshest 
faces. San Iago !— Andres de Cabrera hath caused me to 
know this, though it were a crime to suppose any could 
teach this hard lesson to Isabella of Trastamara.” 

“ Restrain thy strong and impetuous feelings, Daughter- 
Marchioness,” returned the queen, glancing her eye at the 
bowed form of Mercedes, whose head was now buried in 
her lap ; “ truth seldom asserts its fullest power when the 
heart is overflowing with feeling. Don Andres hath been 
a loyal subject, and doth justice to thy merit ; and, as to 
my lord the king, he is the father of my children, as well 
as thy sovereign. But touching this Ozema — can I see her, 
Beatriz ? ” 

“You have only to command, Seflora, to see whom you 
please. But Ozema is, no doubt, at hand, and can be 
brought into your presence as soon as it may please your 
Highness to order it done.” 

“Nay, Beatriz, if she be a princess, and a stranger in 
the kingdom, there is a consideration due to her rank and 
to her position. Let Dofia Mercedes go and prepare her 
to receive us ; I will visit her in her own apartment. The 
hour is late, but she will overlook the want of ceremony in 
the desire to do her service.” 

Mercedes did not wait a second bidding, but, rising from 
her knees, she hastened to do as the queen had suggested. 
Isabella and the marchioness were silent some little time, 
when left to themselves ; then the former, as became her 
rank, opened the discourse. 

“ It is remarkable, Beatriz, that Colon should not have 
spoken to me of this princess ! ” she said. “ One of her 
condition ought not to have entered Spain with so little 
ceremony.” 

“ The admiral hath deemed her the chosen subject of 
Luis’ care, and hath left her to be presented to your High- 
ness by my recreant nephew. Ah, Senora ! is it not won- 
derful, that one like Mercedes could be so soon supplanted 
by a half-naked, unbaptized, benighted being, on whom 
the church hath never yet smiled, and whose very soul may 
be said to be in jeopardy of instantaneous condemnation ? ” 

“ That soul must be cared for, Beatriz, and that right 
quickly. Is the princess really of sufficient beauty to sup- 
plant a creature as lovely as the Dona Mercedes ?” 

“It is not that Senora — it is not that. But men are 
fickle— and they so love novelties ! Then is the modest 


394 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


restraint of cultivated manners less winning to them, than 
the freedom of those who deem even clothes superfluous. 
I mean not to question the modesty of Ozema ; for, accord- 
ing to her habits, she seemeth irreproachable in this re- 
spect ; but the ill-regulated fancy of a thoughtless boy 
may find a momentary attraction in her unfettered con- 
duct and half-attired person, that is wanting to the air and 
manners of a high-born Spanish damsel, who hath been 
taught rigidly to respect herself and her sex.” 

“This may be true, as toucheth the vulgar, Beatriz, but 
such unworthy motives can never influence the Conde de 
Llera. If thy nephew hath really proved the recreant 
thou supposest, this Indian princess must be of more ex- 
cellence than we have thought.” 

“ Of that, Senora, you can soon judge for yourself ; here 
is the maiden of Mercedes to inform us that the Indian is 
ready to receive the honor that your Highness intendeth.” 

Our heroine had prepared Ozema to meet the queen. 
By this time, the young Haytian had caught so many 
Spanish words, that verbal communication with her was 
far from difficult, though she still spoke in the discon- 
nected and abrupt manner of one to whom the language 
was new. She understood perfectly that she was to meet 
that beloved sovereign, of whom Luis and Mercedes had 
so often spoken with reverence ; and accustomed, herself, 
to look up to caciques greater than her brother, there was 
no difficulty in making her understand that the person she 
was now about to receive was the first of her sex in Spain. 
The only misconception which existed, arose from the cir- 
cumstance that Ozema believed Isabella to be the queen 
of all the Christian world, instead of being the queen of a 
particular country ; for, in her imagination, both Luis and 
Mercedes were persons of royal station. 

Although Isabella was prepared to see’ a being of sur- 
prising perfection of form, she started with surprise, as her 
eye first fell on Ozema. It was not so much the beauty of 
the young Indian that astonished her, as the native grace 
of her movements, the bright and happy expression of her 
countenance, and the perfect self-possession of her mien 
and deportment. Ozema had got accustomed to a degree 
of dress that she would have found oppressive at Hayti ; 
the sensitiveness of ^lercedes, on the subject of female pro- 
priety, having induced her to lavish on her new friend 
many rich articles of attire, that singularly, though wildly, 
contributed to aid her charms. Still the gift of Luis was 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE . 


395 


thrown over one shoulder, as the highest-prized part of her 
wardrobe, and the cross of Mercedes rested on her bosom, 
the most precious of all her ornaments. 

“ This is wonderful, Beatriz ! ” exclaimed the queen, as 
she stood at one side of the room, while Ozerna bowed her 
body in graceful reverence on the other ; “ can this rare 
being really have a soul that knoweth naught of its God 
and Redeemer ! But let her spirit be benighted as it may, 
there is no vice in that simple mind, or deceit in that pure 
heart.” 

“ Senora, all this is true. Spite of our causes of dissatis- 
faction, my ward and I both love her already, and could 
take her to our hearts forever ; one as a friend, and the 
other as a parent.” 

“ Princess,” said the queen, advancing with quiet dignity 
to the spot where Ozema stood, with downcast eyes and 
bended body, waiting her pleasure, “ thou art welcome to 
our dominions. The admiral hath done well in not class- 
ing one of thy evident claims and station among those 
whom he hath exhibited to vulgar eyes. In this he hath 
shown his customary judgment, no less than his deep 
respect for the sacred office of sovereigns.” 

“Almirante !” exclaimed Ozema, her looks brightening 
with intelligence, for she had long known how to pro- 
nounce the well-earned title of Columbus; “ Almirante, 
Mercedes — Isabella, Mercedes — Luis, Mercedes, Senora 
Reyna.” 

“ Beatriz, what meaneth this ? Why doth the princess 
couple the name of thy ward with that of Colon, with 
mine, and even with that of the young Count of Llera ?” 

“Sefiora, by some strange delusion, ,she hath got to 
think that Mercedes is the Spanish term for everything 
that is excellent or perfect, and thus doth she couple it 
with all thac she most desireth to praise. Your Highness 
must observe that she even united Luis and Mercedes, a 
union that we once fondly hoped might happen, but which 
now would seem to be impossible ; and which she herself 
must be the last really to wish.” 

“Strange delusion!” repeated the queen; “the idea 
hath had its birth in some particular cause, for things like 
this come not of accidents ; who but thy nephew, Beatriz, 
would know aught of thy ward, or who but he would have 
taught the princess to deem her very name a sign of excel- 
lence ? ” 

“ Senora ! ” exclaimed Mercedes, the color mounting to 


39 6 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


her pale cheek, and joy momentarily flashing in her eyes, 
“can this be so ?” 

“Why not, daughter ? We may have been too hasty in 
this matter, and mistaken what are truly signs of devotion 
to thee, for proofs of fickleness and inconstancy.” 

“Ah! Sefiora! but this can never be, else would not 
Ozema so love him.” 

“ How knowest thou, child, that the princess hath any 
other feeling for the count than that which properly be- 
longeth to one who is grateful for his care, and for the in- 
expressible service of being made acquainted with the 
virtues of the cross? Here is some rash error, Beatriz.” 

“ I fear not, your Highness. Touching the nature of 
Ozema’s feelings, there can be no misconception, since the 
innocent and unpractised creature hath not art sufficient 
to conceal them. That her heart is all Luis’, we discovered 
in the first few hours of our intercourse ; and it is too pure, 
unsought, to be won. The feeling of the Indian is not 
merely admiration, but it is such a passionate devotion, as 
partaketh of the warmth of that sun, which, we are told, 
glows with a heat so genial in her native clime.” 

“ Could one see so much of Don Luis, Sefiora,” added 
Mercedes, “ under circumstances to try his martial virtues, 
and so long daily be in communion with his excellent 
heart, and not come to view him as far above all others ?” 

“Martial virtues — excellent heart!” — slowly repeated 
the queen, “ and yet so regardless of the wrong he doeth ! 
He is neither knight nor cavalier worthy of the sex, if what 
thou thinkest be true, child.” 

“Nay, Sefiora,” earnestly resumed the girl, whose diffi- 
dence was yielding to the wish to vindicate our hero, “the 
princess hath told us of the manner in which he rescued 
her from her greatest enemy and persecutor, Caonabo, a 
headstrong and tyrannical sovereign of her island, and of 
his generous self-devotion in her behalf.” 

“ Daughter, do thou withdraw, and, first calling on Holy 
Maria to intercede for thee, seek the calm of religious 
peace and submission, on thy pillow. Beatriz, I will ques- 
tion the princess alone.” 

The marchioness and Mercedes immediately withdrew, 
leaving Isabella with Ozema, in possession of the room. 
The interview that followed lasted more than an hour, that 
time being necessary to enable the queen to form an opin- 
ion of the stranger’s explanations, with the imperfect means 
of communication she possessed. That Ozema’s whole 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


397 


heart was Luis’, Isabella could not doubt. Unaccustomed 
to conceal her preferences, the Indian girl was too unprac- 
tised to succeed in such a design, had she even felt the de- 
sire to attempt it ; but, in addition to her native ingenu- 
ousness, Ozema believed that duty required her to have no 
concealments from the sovereign of Luis, and- she laid bare 
her whole soul in the simplest and least disguised manner. 

“ Princess,” said the queen, after the conversation had 
lasted some time, and Isabella believed herself to be in 
possession of the means of comprehending her companion, 
“ I now understand your tale. Caonabo is the chief, or, if 
thou wilt, the king of a country adjoining thine own ; he 
sought thee for a wife, but being already married to more 
than one princess, thou didst very properly reject his un- 
holy proposals. He then attempted to seize thee by vio- 
lence. The Conde de Llera was on a visit to thy brother 
at the time ” 

“ Luis — Luis ” — the girl impatiently interrupted, in her 
sweet, soft voice — “ Luis no Coirde — Luis.” 

“ True, princess, but the Conde de Llera and Luis de 
Bobadillaare one and the same person. Luis, then, if thou 
wilt, was present in thy palace, and he beat back the pre- 
sumptuous cacique, who, not satisfied with fulfilling the law 
of God by the possession of one wife, impiously sought, in 
thy person, a second, or a third, and brought thee off in 
triumph. Thy brother, next, requested thee to take shel- 
ter, for a time, in Spain, and Don Luis, becoming thy 
guardian and protector, hath brought thee hither to the 
care of his aunt ? ” 

Ozema bowed her head in acknowledgment of the truth 
of this statement, most of which she had no difficulty in 
understanding, the subject having, of late, occupied so 
much of her thoughts. 

“ And, now, princess,” continued Isabella, “ I must speak 
to thee with maternal frankness, for I deem all of thy birth 
my children while they dwell in my realms, and have a right 
to look to me for advice and protection. Hast thou any 
such love for Don Luis as would induce thee to forget 
thine own country, and to adopt his in its stead ?” 

“ Ozema don’t know what ‘adopt his,’ means,” observed 
the puzzled girl. 

“ I wish to inquire if thou wouldst consent to become 
the wife of Don Luis de Bobadilla ? ” 

“ Wife ” and “ husband ” were words of which the Indian 
girl had early learned the signification, and she smiled 


39 » 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


guilelessly, even while she blushed, and nodded her 
assent. 

“ I am, then, to understand that thou expectest to marry 
the count, for no modest young female, like thee, would 
so cheerfully avow her preference, without having that 
hope ripened in her heart, to something like a certainty.” 

“Si, Senora — Ozema, Luis’ wife.” 

“ Thou meanest, princess, that Ozema expecteth shortly 
to wed the count — shortly become his wife ! ” 

“No — no — no — Ozema now Luis’ wife. Luis marry 
Ozema, already.” 

“ Can this be so ? ” exclaimed the queen, looking steadily 
into the face of the beautiful Indian to ascertain if the 
whole were not an artful deception. But the open and 
innocent face betrayed no guilt, and Isabella felt com- 
pelled to believe what she had heard. In order, however, 
to make certain of the fact, she questioned and cross-ques- 
tioned Ozema, for near half an hour longer, and always 
with the same result. 

When the queen arose to withdraw, she kissed the prin- 
cess, for so she deemed this wild creature of an unknown 
and novel state of society, and whispered a devout prayer 
for the enlightenment of her mind, and for her future 
peace. On reaching her own apartment, she found the 
Marchioness of Moya in attendance, that tried friend being 
unable to sleep until she had learned the impressions of 
her royal mistress. 

“’Tis even worse than we had imagined, Beatriz,” said 
Isabella, as the other closed the door behind her. . “ Thine 
heartless, inconstant nephew hath already wedded the In- 
dian, and she is, at this moment, his lawful wife.” 

“Sefiora, there must be some mistake in this! The 
rash boy would hardly dare to practise this imposition on 
me, and that in the very presence of Mercedes.” 

“ He would sooner place his wife in thy care, Daughter- 
Marchioness, than make the same disposition of one who 
had fewer claims on him. But there can be no mistake. 
I have questioned the princess closely, and no doubt re- 
maineth in my mind, that the nuptials have been solem- 
nized by religious rites. It is not easy to understand all 
she wouid wish to say, but that much she often and dis- 
tinctly hath affirmed.” 

“Your Highness — can a Christian contract marriage 
with one that is yet unbaptized ? ” 

“ Certainly not, in the eye of the Church, which is the 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


399 


eye of God. But I rather think Ozema hath received this 
holy rite, for she often pointed to the cross she weareth, 
when speaking of the union with my nephew. Indeed, 
from her allusions, I understood her to say that she be- 
came a Christian, ere she became a wife.” 

“ And that blessed cross, Senora, was a gift of Mercedes 
to the reckless, fickle-minded boy ; a parting gift in which 
the holy symbol was intended to remind him of constancy 
and faith ! ” 

“ The world maketh so many inroads into the hearts of 
men, Beatriz, that they know not woman’s reliance and 
woman’s fidelity. But to thy knees, and bethink thee of 
asking for grace to sustain thy ward, in this cruel, but un- 
avoidable extremity.” 

Isabella now turned to her friend, who advanced and 
raised the hand of her royal mistress to her lips. The 
queen, however, was not content with this salutation, warm 
as it was ; passing an arm around the neck of Dona Bea- 
triz, she drew her to her person, and imprinted a kiss on 
her forehead. 

“ Adieu, Beatriz — true friend as thou art ! ” she said. 
“ If constancy hath deserted all others, it hath still an 
abode in thy faithful heart.” 

With these words the queen and the marchioness sepa- 
rated, each to find her pillow, if not her repose. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

“Now, Gondarino, what can you put on now 
That may deceive us ? 

Have ye more strange illusions, yet more mists, 

Through which the weak eye may be led to error? 

What can ye say that may do satisfaction 
Both for her wronged honor and your ill ? ” 

— Beaumont and Fletcher. 

The day which succeeded the interview related in the 
preceding chapter, was that which Cardinal Mendoza had 
selected for the celebrated banquet given to Columbus. 
On this occasion, most of the high nobility of the court 
were assembled in honor of the admiral, who was receiyed 
with a distinction which fell little short of that usually de- 
voted to crowned heads. The Genoese bore himself 


4oo 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


modestly, though nobly, in all these ceremonies ; and, for 
the hour, all appeared to delight in doing justice to his 
great exploits, and to sympathize in a success so much 
surpassing the general expectation. Every eye seemed 
riveted on his person, every ear listened eagerly to the syl- 
lables as they fell from his lips, every voice was loud and 
willing in his praise. 

As a matter of course, on such* an occasion, Columbus 
was expected to give some account of his voyage and ad- 
ventures. This was not an easy task, since it was virtually 
asserting how much his own perseverance and spirit, his 
sagacity and skill, were superior to the knowledge and en- 
terprise of the age. Still, the admiral acquitted himself 
with dexterity and credit, touching principally on those 
heads which most redounded to the glory of Spain, and 
the lustre of the two crowns. 

Among the guests was Luis de Bobadilla. The young 
man had been invited on account of his high rank, and in 
consideration of the confidence and familiarity with which 
he was evidently treated by the admiral. The friendship 
of Columbus was more than sufficient to erase the slightly 
unfavorable impressions that had been produced by Luis’ 
early levities, and men quietly submitted to the influence 
of the great man’s example, without stopping to question 
the motive or the end. The consciousness of having done 
that which few of his station and hopes would ever dream 
of attempting, gave to the proud mien and handsome coun- 
tenance of Luis, a seriousness and elevation that had not 
always been seated there, and helped to sustain him in the 
good opinion that he had otherwise so cheaply purchased. 
The manner in which he had related to Peter Martyr and 
his companions the events of the expedition, was also re- 
membered, and, without understanding exactly why, the 
world was beginning to associate him, in some mysterious 
manner, with the great western voyage. Owing to these 
accidental circumstances, our hero was actually reaping 
some few of the advantages of his spirit, though in a way 
he had never anticipated ; a result by no means extraor- 
dinary, men as often receiving applause, or reprobation, 
for acts that were never meditated, as for those for which 
reason and justice would hold them rigidly responsible. 

“ Here is a health to my lord, their Highnesses’ Admiral 
of the Ocean Sea,” cried Luis de St. Angel, raising his cup 
so that all at the board might witness the act. " “ Spain 
oweth him her gratitude for the boldest and most beneficial 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


401 


enterprise of the age, and no good subject of the two 
sovereigns will hesitate to do him honor for his services.” 

The bumper was drunk, and the meek acknowledgments 
of Columbus listened to in respectful silence. 

“Lord Cardinal,” resumed the free-speaking accountant 
of the Church’s revenues, “I look upon the Church’s cure 
as doubled by these discoveries, and esteem the number of 
souls that will be rescued from perdition by the means that 
will now be employed to save them, as forming no small 
part of the lustre of the exploit, and a thing not likely to 
be forgotten at Rome.” 

“Thou say’st well, good de St. Angel,” returned the car- 
dinal, “and the Holy Father will not overlook God’s agent, 
or his assistants. Knowledge came from the east, and we 
have long looked forward to the time when, purified by 
revelation and the high commission that we hold direct 
from the source of all power, it would be rolled backward 
to its place of beginning; but we now see that its course 
is still to be westward, reaching Asia by a path that, until 
this great discovery, was hid from human eyes.” 

Although so much apparent sympathy ruled at the festi- 
val, the human heart was at work, and envy, the basest, 
and perhaps the most common, of our passions, was fast 
swelling in more than one breast. The remark of the 
cardinal produced an exhibition of the influence of this 
unworthy feeling that might otherwise have been smoth- 
ered. Among the guests was a noble of the name of Juan 
de Orbitello, and he could listen no longer in silence to the 
praises of those whose breath he had been accustomed to 
consider fame. 

“ Is it so certain, holy sir,” he said, addressing his host, 
“ that God would not have directed other means to be em- 
ployed to effect this end had these of Don Christopher 
failed ? Or, are we to look upon this voyage as the only 
known way in which all these heathen could be rescued 
from perdition ? ” 

“No one may presume, Senor, to limit the agencies of 
heaven,” returned the cardinal, gravely; “nor is it the 
office of man to question the means employed, or to doubt 
the power to create others, as wisdom may dictate. Least 
of all should laymen call in question aught that the church 
sanctioneth.” 

“This I admit, J^ord Cardinal,” answered the Senor de 
Orbitello, a little embarrassed, and somewhat vexed at the 
implied rebuke of the churchman’s remarks, “ and it was 
26 


402 


MERCEDES 0E CASTILE. 


the least of my intentions to do so. But you, Senor Don 
Christopher, did you deem yourself an agent of heaven in 
this expedition ? ” 

“I have always considered myself a most unworthy, in- 
strument, set apart for this great end, Senor,” returned the 
admiral, with a grave solemnity that was well suited to im- 
pose on the spectators. “ From the first I have felt this 
impulse as being of divine origin, and I humbly trust 
heaven is not displeased with the creature it hath em- 
ployed.” 

“ Do you then imagine, Senor Almirante, that Spain 
could not produce another, fitted equally with yourself, to 
execute this great enterprise, had any accident prevented 
either your sailing or your success ? ” 

The boldness, as well as the singularity of this question, 
produced a general pause in the conversation, and every 
head was bent a little forward in expectation of the reply. 
Columbus sat silent for more than a minute ; then, reach- 
ing forward, he took an egg, and, holding it up to view, he 
spoke mildly, but with great gravity and earnestness of 
manner. 

“ Senores,” he said, “ is there one here of sufficient ex- 
pertness to cause this egg to stand on its end ? If such a 
man be present, I challenge him to give us an exhibition 
of his skill.” 

The request produced a good deal of surprise ; but -a 
dozen immediately attempted the exploit, amid much 
laughter and many words. More than once some young 
noble thought he had succeeded, but the instant his fingers 
quitted the egg it rolled upon the table, as if in mockery 
of his awkwardness. 

“By Saint Luke, Senor Almirante, but this notable 
achievement surpasseth our skill,” cried Juan de Orbitello. 
“ Here is the Conde de Llera, who hath slain so manv 
Moors, and who hath even unhorsed Alonzo de Ojeda in a 
tourney, can make nothing of his egg, in the way you 
mention.” 

“And yet it will no longer be difficult to him, or even to 
you, Senor, when the art shall be exposed.” 

Saying thus, Columbus tapped the smaller end of his 
egg lightly on the table, when, the -shell being forced in, 
it possessed a base on which it stood firmly and without 
tremor. A murmur of applause followed this rebuke, and 
the Lord of Orbitello was fain to shrink back into an in- 
significance from which it would have been better fyr him 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


403 


never to have emerged. At this precise instant a royal 
page spoke to the admiral, and then passed on to the seat 
of Don Luis de Bobadilla. 

“ I am summoned hastily to the presence of the queen, 
Lord Cardinal,” observed the admiral, “and look to your 
grace for an apology for my withdrawing. The business 
is of weight, by the manner of the message, and you will 
prardon my now quitting the board, though it seem early.” 

The usual reply was made ; and, bowed to the door by 
his host and all present, Columbus quitted the room. Al- 
most at the same instant he w T as followed by the Conde de 
Llera. 

“ Whither goest thou in this hurry, Don Luis?” de- 
manded the admiral, as the other joined him. “ Art thou 
in so great haste to quit a banquet such as Spain hath not 
often seen, except in the palaces of her kings?” 

“ By San Iago ! nor there, neither, Senor,” answered the 
young man, gayly, “if King Ferdinand’s board be taken as 
the sample. But I quit this goodly company in obedience 
to an order of Doiia Isabella, who hath suddenly sum- 
moned me to her royal presence.” 

“ Then, Senor Conde, we go together, and are like to 
meet on the same errand. I, too, am hastening to the 
apartments of the queen.” 

“ It gladdens my heart to hear this, Senor, as I know 
of but one subject on which a common summons should 
be sent to us. This affair toucheth on my suit, and, doubt- 
less, you will be required to speak of my bearing in the 
voyage.” 

“My mind and my time have been so much occupied of 
late with public cares, Luis, that I have not had an occa- 
sion to question you of this. How fareth the Lady of 
Valverde, and w T hen will she deign to reward thy constancy 
and love ? ” 

“ Senor, I would I could answer the last of these ques- 
tions with greater certainty, and the first with a lighter 
heart. Since my return I have seen Dona Mercedes but 
thrice ; and, though she was all gentleness and truth, my 
suit forthe consummation of my happiness hath been coldly 
and evasively answered by my aunt. Her Highness is to 
be consulted", it would seem ; and the tumult produced by 
the success of the voyage hatli so much occupied her that 
there hath been no leisure to wait on trifles such as those 
that lead to the felicity of a wanderer like myself.” 

“ Then is it like, Luis, that we are indeed summoned 


404 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


on this very affair ; else, why should thou and I be 
brought together in a manner so unusual and so sudden." 

Our hero was not displeased to fancy this, and he en- 
tered the apartments of the queen with a step as elastic 
and a mien as bright as if he had come to wed his love. 
The Admiral of the Ocean Sea, as Columbus was now pub- 
licly called, had not long to wait in ante-chambers, and 
ere many minutes he and his companion were ushered 
into the presence. 

Isabella received her guests in private, there being no 
one in attendance but the Marchioness of Moya, Mercedes, 
and Ozema. The first glances of their eyes told Columbus 
and Luis that all was not right. Every countenance de- 
noted that its owner was endeavoring to maintain a calm- 
ness that was assumed. The queen herself was serene 
and dignified, it is true, but her brow was thoughtful, her 
eye melancholy, and her cheek slightly flushed. As for 
Dona Beatriz, sorrow and indignation struggled in her ex- 
pressive face, and Luis saw, with concern, that her look 
was averted from him in a way she always adopted when 
he had seriously incurred her displeasure. Mercedes’ lips 
were pale as death, though a bright spot, like vermilion, 
was stationary on each cheek ; her eyes were downcast, 
and all her mien was humbled and timid. Ozema alone 
seemed perfectly natural ; still, her glances were quick and 
anxious, though a gleam of joy danced in her eyes, and 
even a slight exclamation of delight escaped her, as she be- 
held Luis, whom she had seen but once since her arrival 
in Barcelona, already near a month. 

Isabella advanced a step or tw’o to meet the admiral, and, 
when the last would have kneeled, she hurriedly prevented 
the act by giving him her hand to kiss. 

“ Not so — not so — Lord Admiral,” exclaimed the queen ; 
“ this is homage unsuited to thy high rank and eminent 
services. If we are thy sovereigns, so are we also thy 
friends. I fear my lord cardinal will scarce pardon the 
orders I sent him, seeing that it hath deprived him of thy 
society somewhat sooner than he may have expected.” 

“ His Eminence, and all his goodly company, have that 
to muse on, Senora, that may yet occupy them some time,” 
returned Columbus, smiling in his grave manner; “doubt- 
less they will less miss me than at an ordinary time. 
Were it otherwise, both I and this young count would not 
scruple to quit even a richer banquet to obey the summons 
of your Highness.” 


MERCEDES OF CAST/EE. 


405 


“ I doubt it not, Senor, but I have desired to see thee 
this night on a matter of private, rather than of public con- 
cernment. Doha Beatriz, here, hath made known to me 
the presence at court, as well as the history of this fair 
being, who giveth one an idea so much more exalted of 
thy vast discoveries that I marvel she should ever have 
been concealed. Know’st thou her rank, Don Christopher, 
and the circumstances that have brought her to Spain ?” 

“ Senora, I do ; in part through my own observation, 
and in part from the statements of Don Luis de Bobadilla. 
I consider the rank of the Lady Ozema to be less than 
royal, and more than noble, if our opinions will allow us 
to imagine a condition between the two ; though it must 
always be remembered that Hayti is not Castile ; the one 
being benighted under the cloud of heathenism, and the 
other .existing in the sunshine of the church and civil- 
ization.” 

“ Nevertheless, Don Christopher, station is Station, and 
the rights of birth are not impaired by the condition of a 
country. Although it hath pleased him already, and will 
still further please the head of the church, to give us 
rights, in our characters of Christian princes, over these 
caciques of India, there is nothing unusual or novel in the 
fact. The relation between the suzerain and the lieges is 
ancient and well established ; and instances are not want- 
ing in which powerful monarchs have held certain of their 
states by this tenure, while others have come direct from 
God. In this view, I feel disposed to consider the Indian 
lady as more than noble, and have directed her to be treated 
accordingly. There remaineth only to relate the circum- 
stances that have brought her to Spain.” 

“ These can better come from Don Luis than from me, 
Senora ; he being most familiar with the events.” 

“Nay, Senor, I would hear them from thine own lips. 
I am already possessed of the substance of the Conde de 
Llera’s story.” 

Columbus looked both surprised and pained, but he did 
not hesitate about complying with the queen’s request. 

“ Hayti hath its greater and its lesser princes, or caciques, 
your Highness,” he added ; “the last paying a species of 
homage, and owing a certain allegiance to the first, as hath 
been said ” 

“Thou seest, Daughter-Marchioness, this is but a natural 
order of government, prevailing equally in the east and in 
the west ! ” 


406 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ Of the first of these was Guacanagari, of whom I have 
already related so much to your Highness,” continued 
Columbus ; “ and of the last, Mattinao, the brother of this 
lady. Don Luis visited the Cacique Mattinao, and was 
present at an inroad of Caonabo, a celebrated Carib chief, 
who would fain have made a wife of her who now stands 
in this illustrious presence. The Conde conducted himself 
like a gallant Castilian cavalier, routed the foe, saved the 
lady, and brought her in triumph to the ships. Here it was 
determined she should visit Spain, both as a means of 
throwing more lustre on the two crowns, and of removing 
her for a season from the attempts of the Carib, who is 
too powerful and warlike to be withstood by a race as 
gentle as that of Mattinao’s.” 

“ This is well, Senor, and what I have already heard ; 
but how happeneth it that Ozema did not appear with the 
rest of thy train in the publie reception of the town ? ” 

“It was the wish of Don Luis it should be otherwise, 
and I consented that he and his charge should sail privately 
from Palos, with the expectation of meeting me in Bar- 
celona. We both thought the Lady Ozema too superior 
to her companions to be exhibited to rude eyes as a 
spectacle.” 

“ There was delicacy, if there were not prudence, in the 
arrangement,” the queen observed, a little dryly. “ Then, 
the Lady Ozema hath been some weeks solely in the care 
of the Conde de Llera.” 

“ I so esteem it, your Highness, except as she hath been 
placed under the guardianship of the Marchioness of Moya.” 

“Was this altogether discreet, Don Christopher, or as 
one prudent as thou shouldst have consented to ? ” 

“ Senora ! ” exclaimed Luis, unable to restrain his feelings 
longer. 

“ Forbear, young sir,” commanded the queen. “ I shall 
have occasion to question thee presently, when thou may’st 
have a need for all thy readiness to give the fitting answers. 
Doth not thy discretion rebuke thy indiscretion in this 
matter, Lord Admiral?” 

“ Senora, the question, like its motive, is altogether new 
to me ; I have the utmost reliance on the honor of the 
count, and then did I know that his heart hath long been 
given to the fairest and worthiest damsel of Spain ; besides, 
my mind hath been so much occupied with the grave sub- 
jects of your Highness’ interests, that it hath had but little 
opportunity to dwell on minor things.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


407 


“ I believe thee, Sefior, and thy pardon is secure. Still, 
for one so experienced, it was a sore indiscretion to trust 
to the constancy of a fickle heart, when placed in the body 
of a light-minded and truant boy. And now, Conde de 
Llera, I have that to say to thee, which thou may’st find it 
difficult to answer. Thou assentest to all that hath hitherto 
been said ? ” 

“ Certainly, Senora, Don Christopher can have no motive 
to misstate, even were he capable of the meanness. I trust 
our house hath not been remarkable in Spain for recreant 
and false cavaliers.” 

“ In that I fully agree. If thy house hath had the misfort- 
une to produce one untrue and recreant heart, it hath the 
glory ” — glancing at her friend — “ of producing others that 
might equal the constancy of the most heroic minds of an- 
tiquity. The lustre of the name of Bobadilla doth not alto- 
gether depend on the fidelity and truth of its head — nay, 
hear me, sir, and speak only when thou art ready to answer 
my questions. Thy thoughts, of late, have been bent on 
matrimony ? ” 

“ Senora, I confess it. Is it an offence to dream of the 
honorable termination of a suit that hath been long urged, 
and which I had dared to hope was finally about to receive 
your own royal approbation ?” 

“ It is, then, as I feared, Beatriz ! ” exclaimed the queen ; 
“and this benighted but lovely being hath been deceived 
by the mockery of a marriage ; for no subject of Castile 
would dare thus to speak of wedlock, in my presence, with 
the consciousness that his vows had actually and lawfully 
been given to another. Both the church and the prince 
would not be thus braved, by even the greatest profligate 
of Spain ! ” 

“ Senora, your Highness speaketh most cruelly, even 
while you speak in riddles ! ” cried Luis. “ May I presume 
to ask if I am meant in these severe remarks ? ” 

“ Of whom else should we be speaking, or to whom else 
allude ? Thou must have the inward consciousness, un- 
principled boy, of all thy unworthiness ; and yet thou darest 
thus to brave thy sovereign — nay, to brave that suffering 
and angelic girl, with a mien as bold as if sustained by the 
purest innocence ! ” 

“ Senora, I am no angel, myself, however willing to ad- 
mit Dona Mercedes to be one ; neither am I a saint of per- 
fect purity, perhaps — in a word, I am Luis de Bobadilla — 
but as far from deserving these reproaches as from de- 


408 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


serving the crown of martyrdom. Let me humbly demand 
my offence ? ” 

“ Simply that thou hast either cruelly deceived, by a 
feigned marriage, this uninstructed and confiding Indian 
princess, or hast insolently braved thy sovereign with the 
professions of a desire to wed another, with thy faith 
actually plighted at the altar to another. Of which of 
these crimes thou art guilty, thou knovv’st best thyself.” 

“And thou, my aunt — thou, Mercedes — dost thou, too, 
believe me capable of this ? ” 

“I fear it is but too true,” returned the marchioness, 
coldly ; “the proof is such that none but an Infidel could 
deny belief.” 

“ Mercedes ?” 

“ No, Luis,” answered the generous girl, with a warmth 
and feeling that broke down the barriers of all conven- 
tional restraint, “ I do not think thee base as this — I do 
not think thee base at all ; merely unable to restrain thy 
wanderi'ng inclinations. I know thy heart too well, and 
thine honor too well, to suppose aught more than a weak- 
ness that thou wouldst fain subdue, but canst not.” 

“ God and the Holy Virgin be blessed for this ! ” cried 
the count, who had scarcely breathed while his mistress 
was speaking. “Anything but thy entertaining so low an 
opinion of me may be borne ! ” 

“There must be an end of this, Beatriz ; and I see no 
surer means than by proceeding at once to the facts,” said 
the queen. “ Come hither, Ozema, and let thy testimony 
set this matter at rest forever.” 

The young Indian, who comprehended Spanish much 
better than she expressed herself in the language, although 
far from having even a correct understanding of all that 
was said, immediately complied, her whole soul being en- 
grossed with what was passing, while her intelligence was 
baffled in its attempts thoroughly to comprehend it. Mer- 
cedes alone had noted the workings of her countenance, as 
Isabella reproved, or Luis made his protestations, and they 
were such as completely denoted the interest she felt in 
our hero. 

“Ozema,” resumed the queen, speaking slowly, and with 
deliberate distinctness, in order that the other might get 
the meaning of her words as she proceeded, “speak — art 
thou wedded to Luis de Bobadilla, or not ?” 

“ Ozema, Luis’ wife,” answered the girl, laughing and 
blushing. “ Luis, Ozema’s husband.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


409 


“ This is plain as words can make it, Don Christopher, 
and is no more than she hath already often affirmed, on 
my anxious and repeated inquiries. How and when did 
Luis wed thee, Ozema?” 

“ Luis wed Ozema with religion — with Spaniard’s relig- 
ion Ozema wed Luis with love and duty — with Hayti 
manner.” 

“This is extraordinary, Senora,” observed the admiral, 
“and I would gladly look into it. Have I your Highness’ 
permission to inquire into the affair myself ? ” 

“ Do as thou wilt, Sefior,” returned the queen coldly. 
“ My own mind is satisfied, and it behoveth my justice to 
act speedily.” 

“ Conde de Llera, dost thou admit, or dost thou deny, 
that thou art the husband of the Lady Ozema?” demanded 
Columbus, gravely. 

“ Lord Admiral, I deny it altogether. Neither have I 
wedded her, nor hath the thought of so doing, with any 
but Mercedes, ever crossed my mind.” 

This was said firmly, and with the open frankness that 
formed a principal charm in the young man’s manner. 

“ Hast thou, then, wronged her, and given her a right to 
think that thou didst mean wedlock ?” 

“ I have not. Mine own sister would not have been 
more respected thg,n hath Ozema been respected by me, as* 
is shown by the fact that I have hastened to place her in 
the care of my dear aunt, and in the company of Dona 
Mercedes.” 

“ This .seemeth reasonable, Senora; for man hath ever 
that much respect for virtue in your sex, that he hesitateth 
to offend it even in his levities.” 

“In opposition to all these protestations, and to so much 
fine virtue, Senor Colon, we have the simple declaration 
of one untutored in deception — a mind too simple to de- 
ceive, and of a rank and hopes that would render such a 
fraud as unnecessary as it would be unworthy. Beatriz, 
thou dost agree with me, and it cannot find an apology for 
this recreant knight, even though he were once the pride 
of thy house ? ” 

“ Senora, I know not. Whatever may have been the 
failings and weaknesses of the boy — and heaven it knows 
that they have been many — deception and untruth have 
never made a part. I have even ascribed the manner in 
which he hath placed the princess in my immediate care to 
the impulses of a heart that did not wish to conceal the 


4io 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


errors of the head, and to the expectation that her pres- 
ence in my family might sooner bring me to a knowledge 
of the truth. I could wish that the Lady Ozema might be 
questioned more closely, in order that we make certain of 
not being under the delusion of some strange error.” 

“This is right,” observed Isabella, whose sense of justice 
ever inclined her to make the closest examination into the 
merits of every case that required her decision. “The 
fortune of a grandee depends on the result, and it is meet 
he enjoy all fair means of vindicating himself from so 
heinous an offence. Sir Count, thou canst, therefore, 
question her, in our presence, touching all proper grounds 
of inquiry.” 

“ Sefiora, it would ill become a knight to put himself in 
array against a lady, and she, too, of the character and 
habits of this stranger,” answered Luis, proudly ; coloring 
as he spoke, with the consciousness that Ozema was utterly 
unable to conceal her predilection in his favor. “ If such 
an office is, indeed, necessary, its functions would better 
become another.” 

“As the stern duty of punishing must fall on me,” the 
queen calmly observed, “ I will then assume this unpleasant 
office. Sefior Almirante, we may not shrink from any ob- 
ligation that brings us nearer to the greatest attribute of 
“God, his justice. Princess, thou hast said that Don Luis 
hath wedded thee, and that thou considerest thyself his 
wife. When and where didst thou meet him before a 
priest ? ” 

So many attempts had been made to convert Ozema to 
Christianity, that she was more familiar with the terms 
connected with religion than with any other part of the 
language, though her mind was a confused picture of im- 
aginary obligations, and of mystical qualities. Like all 
who are not addicted to abstractions, her piety was more 
connected with forms than with principles, and she was 
better disposed to admit the virtue of the ceremonies of 
the church than the importance of its faith. The question 
of the queen was understood, and, therefore, it was an- 
swered without guile, or a desire to deceive. 

“ Luis wed Ozema with Christian’s cross,” she said, 
pressing to her heart the holy emblem that the young man 
had given to her in a moment of great peril, and in a 
manner the reader already knows. “ Luis think he about 
to die — Ozema think she about to die — both wish to die 
man and wife, and Luis wed with the cross, like good 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


411 

Spanish Christian. Ozema wed Luis in her heart, like 
Hayti lady, in her own country.” 

“ Here is some mistake — some sad mistake, growing out 
of the difference of language and customs,” observed the 
admiral. “ Don Luis hath not been guilty of this decep- 
tion. I witnessed the offering of that cross, which was 
made at sea, during a tempest, and in a way to impress me 
favorably with the count’s zeal in behalf of a benighted 
soul. There was no wedlock there ; nor could any, but 
one who hath confounded our usages through ignorance, 
imagine more than the bestowal of a simple emblem, that 
it was hoped might be useful, in extremity, to one that 
had not enjoyed the advantages of baptism and the 
Church’s offices.” 

“Don Luis, dost thou confirm this statement, and also 
assert that thy gift was made solely with this object?” 
asked the queen. 

“ Sefiora, it is most true. Death was staring us in the 
face ; and I felt that this poor wanderer, who had trusted 
herself to our care with the simple confidence of a child, 
needed some consolation ; none seemed so meet, at the 
moment, as that memorial of our blessed Redeemer, and 
of our own redemption. To me it seemed the preservative 
next to baptism.” 

“ Hast thou never stood before a priest with her, nor in 
any manner abused her guileless simplicity ?” 

“ Senora, it is not my nature to deceive, and every weak- 
ness of which I have been guilty in connection with Ozema 
shall be revealed. Her beauty and her winning manners 
speak for themselves, as doth her resemblance to Dona 
Mercedes. The last greatly inclined me to her, and, had 
not my heart been altogether another’s, it would have been 
my pride to make the princess my wife. But we met too 
late for that ; and even the resemblance led to comparisons, 
in which one educated in infidelity and ignorance must 
necessarily suffer. That I have had moments of tender- 
ness for Ozema, I will own ; but that they ever supplanted, 
or came near supplanting, my love for Mercedes, I do deny. 
If I have any fault to answer for to the Lady Ozema, it is 
because I have not always been able to suppress the feel- 
ings that her likeness to the Dona Mercedes and her own 
ingenuous simplicity — chiefly the former — have induced. 
Never otherwise, in speech or act, have I offended against 
her.” 

“ This soundeth upright and true, Beatriz. Thou know’st 


412 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


the count better than I, and can easier say how far we 
ought to confide in these explanations.” 

“ My life on their truth, my beloved mistress \ Luis 
is no hypocrite, and I rejoice ! — oh ! how exultingly do I 
rejoice ! — at finding him able to give this fair vindication 
of his conduct. Ozema, who hath heard of our form of 
wedlock, and hath seen our devotion to the cross, hath 
mistaken her position, as she hath my nephew’s feelings, 
and supposed herself a wife, when a Christian girl would 
not have been so cruelly deceived.” 

“ This really hath a seeming probability, Sefiores,” con- 
tinued the queen, with her sex’s sensitiveness to her sex’s 
delicacy of sentiment, not to say to her sex’s rights. “This 
toucheth of a lady’s — nay, of a princess’ feelings, and must 
not be treated of openly. It is proper that any further 
explanations should be made only among females, and I 
trust to your honor, as cavaliers and nobles, that what hath 
this night been said will never be spoken of amid the revels 
of men. The Lady Ozema shall be my care ; and, Count 
of Llera, thou shalt know my final decision to-morrow, 
concerning Dona Mercedes and thyself.” 

As this was said with a royal, as well as with a womanly 
dignity, no one presumed to demur, but, making the cus- 
tomary reverences, Columbus and our hero left the pres- 
ence. It was late before the queen quitted Ozema, but 
what passed in this interview will better appear in the 
scenes that are still to be given. 


CHAPTER XXX. 

“When sinking low the sufferer wan 
Beholds no arm outstretch’d to save, 

Fair, as the bosom of the swan 
That rises graceful o’er the wave, 

I’ve seen your breast with pity heave, 

And therefore love you, sweet Genevieve ! ” — Coleridge. 

When Isabella found herself alone with Ozema and Mer- 
cedes (for she chose that the last should be present), she 
entered on the subject of the marriage with the tenderness 
of a sensitive and delicate mind, but with a sincerity that 
rendered further error impossible. The result showed 
how naturally and cruelly the young Indian beauty had 
deceived herself. Ardent, confiding, and accustomed to 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


413 


be considered the object of general admiration among her 
own people, Ozema had fancied that her own inclinations 
had been fully answered by the young man. From the 
first moment they met, with the instinctive quickness of a 
woman, she perceived that she was admired, and, as she 
gave way to the excess of her own feelings, it was almost 
a necessary consequence of the communications she held 
with Luis that she should think they were reciprocated. 
The very want of language in words, by compelling a sub- 
stitution of one in looks and acts, contributed to the mis- 
take ; and it will be remembered that, if Luis’ constancy 
did not actually w r aver, it had been sorely tried. The false 
signification she attached to the word “ Mercedes ” largely 
aided in the delusion, and it was completed by the manly 
tenderness and care with which our hero treated her on all 
occasions. Even the rigid decorum that Luis invariably 
observed, and the severe personal respect which he main- 
tained toward his charge, had their effect on her feelings ; 
for, wild and unsophisticated as had been her training, the 
deep and unerring instinct of the feeble told her the nature 
of the power she was wielding over the strong. 

Then came the efforts to give her some ideas of religion, 
and the deep and lamentable mistakes which imperfectly 
explained, and worse understood subtleties, left on her 
plastic mind. Ozema believed that the Spaniards wor- 
shipped the cross. She saw it put foremost in all pub- 
lic ceremonies, knelt to and apparently appealed to, on 
every occasion that called for an engagement more solemn 
than usual. Whenever a knight made avow, he kissed the 
cross of his sword-hilt. The mariners regarded it with 
reverence, and even the admiral had caused one to be 
erected as a sign of his right to the territory that had been 
ceded to him by Guacanagari. In a word, to her unin- 
structed imagination, it seemed as if the cross were used as 
a pledge for the fidelity of all engagements. Often had she 
beheld and admired the beautiful emblem worn by our 
hero ; and, as the habits of her own people required the 
exchange of pledges of value as a proof of wedlock, she 
fancied, when she received this much-valued jewel, that 
she received the sign that our hero took her for a wife, at 
a moment when death was about to part them forever. 
Further "than this her simplicity and affections did not in- 
duce her to reason or to believe. 

It was an hour before Isabella elicited all these facts 
and feeiings from Ozema, though the latter clearly wished 


414 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


to conceal nothing ; in truth, had nothing to conceal. The 
painful part of the duty remained to be discharged. It was 
to undeceive. the confiding girl, and to teach her the hard 
lesson of. bitterness that followed. This was done, how- 
ever, and the queen, believing it best to remove all delu- 
sion on the subject, finally succeeded in causing her to 
understand that, before the count had ever seen herself, 
his affections were given to Mercedes, who was, in truth, 
his betrothed wife. Nothing could have been gentler, or 
more femininely tender, than the manner in which the 
queen made her communication ; but the blow' struck 
home, and Isabella, herself, trembled at the consequences 
of her own act. Never before had she witnessed the out- 
breaking of feeling in a mind so entirely unsophisticated, 
and the images of what she then saw r haunted her troubled 
slumbers for many succeeding nights. 

As for Columbus and our hero, they were left mainly in 
the dark, as to what had occurred, for the following week. 
It is true Luis received a kind and encouraging note from 
his aunt, the succeeding day, and a page of Mercedes’ 
silently placed in his hand the cross that he had so long 
worn ; but, beyond this, he was left to his own conjectures. 
The moment for explanation, however, arrived, and the 
young man received a summons to the apartment of the 
marchioness. 

Luis did not, as he expected, meet his aunt on reaching 
the saloon, which he found empty. Questioning the page 
who had been his usher, he was desired to wait for the ap- 
pearance of some one to receive him. Patience was not a 
conspictrous virtue in our hero’s character, and he excited 
himself by pacing the room, for near half an hour, ere he 
discovered a single sign that his visit was remembered. 
Just as he was about to summon an attendant, however, 
again to announce his presence, a door was slowly opened, 
and Mercedes stood before him. 

The first glance that the young man cast upon his be- 
trothed, told him that she was suffering under deep mental 
anxiety. The hand which he eagerly raised to his lips 
trembled, and the color came and went on her cheeks, in a 
way to show that she was nearly overcome. Still she re- 
jected the glass of water that he offered, putting it aside 
with a faint smile, and motioning her lover to take a chair, 
while she calmly placed herself on a tabouret — one of the 
humble seats she was accustomed to occupy in the presence 
of the queen. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


415 


“ I have asked for this interview, Don Luis,” Mercedes 
commenced, as soon as she had given herself time to com- 
mand her feelings, “ in order that there may no longer be 
any reasons for mistaking our feelings and wishes. You 
have been suspected of having married the Lady Ozema ; 
and there was a moment when you stood on the verge of 
destruction, through the displeasure of Dona Isabella.” 

“ But, blessed Mercedes, you never imputed to me, this 
act of deception and unfaithfulness ? ” 

“ I told you truth, Senor — for that I knew you too well. 
I felt certain that, whenever Luis de Bobadilla had made 
up his mind to the commission of such a step, he would 
also have the manliness and courage to avow it. I never, 
for an instant, believed that you had wedded the prin- 
cess.” 

“ Why, then, those cold and averted looks ? — eyes that 
sought the floor, rather than the meeting of glances that 
love delights in ; and a manner which, if it hath not abso- 
lutely displayed aversion, hath at least manifested a reserve 
and distance that I had never expected to witness from 
thee to me ? ” 

Mercedes’ color changed, and she made no answer for 
a minute, during which little interval she had doubts of 
her ability to carry out her own purpose. Rallying her 
courage, however, the discourse was continued in the same 
manner as before. # 

“ Hear me, Don Luis,” she resumed, “ for my history 
will not be long. When you left Spain, at my suggestion, 
to enter on this great voyage, you loved me — of that grate- 
ful recollection no earthly power can deprive me ! Yes, 
you then loved me, and me only. We parted, with our 
troth plighted to each other ; and not a day went by, 
during your absence, that I did not pass hours on my 
knees, beseeching heaven in behalf of the admiral and his 
followers.” 

“Beloved Mercedes! It is not surprising that success 
crowned our efforts ; such an intercessor could not fail to 
be heard ! ” 

“ I entreat you, sir, to hear me. Until the eventful day 
which brought the tidings of your return, no Spanish wife 
could have felt more concern for him on whom she had 
placed all her hopes, than I felt for you. To me, the 
future was bright and filled with hope, if the present was 
loaded with fear and doubt. The messenger who reached 
the court, first opened my eyes to the sad realities of the 


416 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


world, and taught me the hard lesson the young are ever 
slow to learn — that of disappointment It was then I first 
heard of Ozema — of your admiration of her beauty — your 
readiness to sacrifice your life in her behalf ! ” 

“ Holy Luke ! Did that vagabond, Sancho, dare to 
wound thy ear, Mercedes, with an insinuation that touched 
the strength or the constancy of my love for thee ? ” 

“ He related naught but the truth, Luis, and blame him 
not. I was prepared for some calamity by his report, and 
I bless God that it came on me by such slow degrees, and 
with the means of preparation to bear it. When I beheld 
Ozema, I no longer wondered at thy change of feeling — 
scarce blamed it. Her beauty, I do think, thou might’st 
have withstood ; but her unfeigned devotion to thyself, 
her innocence, her winning simplicity, and her modest 
joyousnes^s and nature, are sufficient to win a lover from 
any Spanish maiden ” 

“Mercedes ! ” 

“Nay, Luis, I have told thee that I blame thee not. It 
is better that the blow come now, than later, when I 
should not be able to bear it. There is something which 
tells me that, as a wife, I should sink beneath the weight 
of blighted affections ; but now there are open to me the 
convent and the espousals of the Son of God. Do not in- 
terrupt me, Luis/' she added, smiling sweetly, but with 
an effort that denoted how difficult it was to seem easy. 
“ I have to struggle severely to speak at all, and to an 
argument I am altogether unequal. Thou hast not been 
able to control thy affections, and to the strange novelties 
that have surrounded Ozema, as well as to her winning 
ingenuousness, I owe my loss, and she oweth her gain. 
It is the will of Heaven, and I strive to think it is to my 
everlasting advantage. Had I really wedded thee, the 
tenderness that is even now swelling in my heart — I wish 
not to conceal it — might have grown to such a strength as 
to supplant the love I owe to God ; it is, therefore, doubt- 
less better as it is. If happiness on earth is not to be my 
lot, I shall secure happiness hereafter. Nay, all happi- 
ness here will not be lost ; I can still pray for thee as well 
as for myself — and thou and Ozema, of all earthly beings, 
will ever be uppermost in my thoughts.” 

“ This is so wonderful, Mercedes — so cruel — so unreason- 
able — and so unjust, that I cannot credit my ears!” 

“ I have said that I blame thee not. The beauty and 
frankness of Ozema are more than sufficient to justify 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


417 


thee, for men yield to the senses rather than to the heart, 
in bestowing their love. Then ” — Mercedes blushed crim- 
son as she continued — “a Haytian maid may innocently 
use a power that it would ill become a Christian damsel to 
employ. And now we will come to facts that press for a 
decision. Ozema hath been ill — is still ill — dangerously 
so, as her Highness and my guardian believe — even as the 
physicians say — but it is in thy power, Luis, to raise her, 
as it might be, from the grave. See her — say but the word 
that will confer happiness — tell her, if thou hast not yet 
wedded her after the manner of Spain, that thou wilt — 
nay, let one of the holy priests, who are in constant attend- 
ance on her to prepare the way for baptism, perform the 
ceremony this very morning, and we shall presently see 
the princess again the smiling, radiant, joyous creature she 
was when thou first placed her in our care.” 

“ And this thou say’st to me, Mercedes, calmly and de- 
liberately, as if thy words express thy very wishes and 
feelings ! ” 

“ Calmly I may seem to say it, Luis,” answered our hero- 
ine, in a smothered tone, “ and deliberately I do say it. 
Marry me, loving another better, thou canst not ; and why 
not, then, follow whither thy heart leadeth. The dowry of 
the princess shall not be small, for the convent recluse hath 
little need of gold, and none of lands.” 

Luis gazed earnestly at the enthusiastic girl, who in his 
eyes never appeared more lovely ; then, rising, he paced 
the room for three or four minutes, like one who wished to 
keep down mental agony by physical action. When he 
had obtained a proper command of himself, he returned 
to his seat, and taking the unresisting hand of Mercedes, 
he replied to her extraordinary proposal. 

Yatching over the sick couch of thy friend, and too 
much brooding on this subject, love, hath impaired thy 
judgment. Ozema hath no hold on my heart, in the way 
thou fanciest — never had, beyond a passing and truant in- 
clination ” 

“Ah! Luis, those ‘passing and truant inclinations.’ 
None such ” — pressing both her hands on her own heart — 
'‘have ever found a place here !” 

‘ Thy education and mine, Mercedes — thy habits and 
m. le— nay, thy nature and the ruder elements of mine, 
are not, cannot be the same. Were they so, I should not 
worship thee as I now do. But didst thou not exist, the 
certainty that I should wed Ozema would not give me hap- 
27 


418 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


piness — but thou existing, and beloved as thou art, it would 
entail on me a misery that even my buoyant nature could 
not endure. In no case can I ever be the husband of the 
Indian.” 

Although a gleam of happiness illumined the face of 
Mercedes for a moment, her high principles and pure in- 
tentions soon suppressed the momentary and unbidden 
triumph, and, even with a reproving manner, she made her 
answer. 

“ Is this just to Ozema ? Hath not her simplicity been 
deluded by those ‘passing and truant inclinations,’ and 
doth not honor require that thy acts now redeem the 
pledges that have been given by at least thy manner?” 

“ Mercedes — beloved girl, hearken to me. Thou must 
know that, with all my levities and backslidings, I am no 
coxcomb. Never hath my manner said aught that the 
heart did not confirm, and never hath the heart been drawn 
toward any but thee. In this is the great distinction that 
I make between thee and all others of thy sex. Ozema’s 
is not the only form, her’s are not the only charms that 
may have caught a truant glance from my eyes, or extorted 
some unmeaning and bootless admiration, but thou, love, 
art enshrined here, and seemest already a part of myself. 
Didst thou know how often thy image hath proved a moni- 
tor stronger than conscience ; on how many occasions the 
remembrance of thy virtues and thy affections hath pre- 
vailed, when even duty, and religion, and early lessons 
would have been forgotten, thou wouldst understand the 
difference between the love I bear thee , and what thou 
hast so tauntingly repeated as truant and passing inclina- 
tions.” 

“Luis, I ought not to listen to these alluring words, 
which come from a goodness of heart that would spare me 
present pain, only to make my misery in the end the 
deeper. If thou hast never felt otherwi.se, why was the 
cross that I gave thee at parting, bestowed on another?” 

“ Mercedes, thou know’st not the fearful circumstances 
under which I parted with that cross. Death was staring 
us in the face, and I gave it as a symbol that might aid a 
heathen soul in its extremity. That the gift, or rather that 
the thing I lent, was mistaken for a pledge of matrimony, 
is an unhappy misconception, that your own knowledge of 
Christian usages will tell you I could not foresee ; other- 
wise I might now claim thee for my wife, in consequence 
of having first bestowed it on me.” 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


419 


“Ah ! Luis ; when I gave thee that cross, I did wish to 
be understood as plighting my faith to thee forever ! ” 

“ And when thou didst send it back to me, now within 
the week, how was it thy wish to be understood ? ” 

“ I sent it to thee, Luis, in a moment of reviving hope, 
and by the order of the queen. Her Highness is now firmly 
thy friend, and would fain see us united, but for the mel- 
ancholy condition of Ozema, to whom all has been ex- 
plained -all, as I fear, except the real state of thy feelings 
toward us both.” 

“ Cruel girl ! Am I, then, never to be believed — never 
again to be happy ? I swear to thee, dearest Mercedes, 
that thou alone hast my whole heart — that with thee, I 
could be contented in a hovel, and that without thee I 
should be miserable on a throne. Thou will believe this, 
when thou see’st me a wretch, wandering the earth, reckless 
alike of hopes and objects, perhaps of character, because 
thou alone canst make me, and keep me the man I ought 
to be. Bethink thee, Mercedes, of the influence thou canst 
have, — must have — wilt have on one of my temperament 
and passions. I have long looked upon thee as my guar- 
dian angel, one that can mould me to thy will, and rule me 
when all others fail. With thee — the impatience produced 
by thy doubts excepted — am I not ever tractable and 
gentle ? Hath Dona Beatriz ever exercised a tithe of thy 
power over me, and hast thou ever failed to tame even my 
wildest and rashest humors ?” 

“ Luis — Luis — no one that knew it, ever doubted of thy 
heart ! ” Mercedes paused, and the working of her counte- 
nance proved that the earnest sincerity of her lover had 
already shaken her doubts of his constancy. Still, her 
mind reverted to the scenes of the voyage, and her imagi- 
nation portrayed the couch of the stricken Ozema. After 
a minute’s delay, she proceeded, in a low, humbled tone — 
“I will not deny that it is soothing to my heart to hear 
this language, to which, I fear, I listen too readily,” she 
said. “ Still, I find it difficult to believe that thou canst 
ever forget one who hath even braved the chances of death, 
in order to shelter thy body from the arrows of thy foes.” 

“Believe not this, beloved girl ; thou wouldst have done 
that thyself, in Ozema’s place, and so I shall ever consider it.” 

“ I should have the wish, Luis,” Mercedes continued, her 
eyes suffused with tears, “ but I might not have the power ! ” 
“ Thou wouldst — thou wouldst — -I know thee too well to 
doubt it.” 


420 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


“ I could envy Ozema the occasion, were it not sinful ! I 
fear thou wilt think of this, when thy mind shall have tired 
with attractions that have lost their novelty,” 

“Thou wouldst not only have done it, but thou wouldst 
have done it far better. Ozema, moreover, was exposed in 
her own quarrel, whilst thou wouldst have exposed thyself 
in mine.” 

Mercedes again paused, and appeared to muse deeply. 
Her eyes had brightened under the soothing asseverations 
of her lover, and, spite of the generous self-devotion with 
which she had determined to sacrifice all her own hopes 
to what she had imagined would make her lover happy, 
the seductive influence of requited aifection was fast re- 
suming its power. 

“Come with me, then, Luis, and behold Ozema,” she at 
length continued. “ When thou see’st her, in her present 
state, thou wilt better understand thine own intentions. I 
ought not to have suffered thee thus to revive thy ancient 
feelings in a private interview, Ozema not being present ; 
it is like forming a judgment on the hearing of only one 
side. And, Luis ” — her heightened color, the effect of 
feeling, not of shame, rendered the girl surpassingly beau- 
tiful — “and, Luis, if thou shouldst find reason to change 
thy language after visiting the princess, however hard I 
may find it to be borne, thou wilt be certain of my forgive- 
ness for all that hath passed, and of my prayers — ” 

Sobs interrupted Mercedes, and she stopped an instant 
to wipe away her tears, rejecting Luis’ attempt to fold her 
in his arms, in order to console her, with a sensitive jeal- 
ousy of the result ; a feeling, however, in which delicacy 
had more weight than resentment. When she had dried 
her eyes, and otherwise removed the traces of her agita- 
tion, she led the way to the apartment of Ozema, where 
the presence of the young man was expected. 

Luis started on entering the room ; a little on perceiving 
that the queen and the admiral were present, and more at 
observing the inroads that disappointment had made on 
the appearance of Ozema. The color of the latter was 
gone, leaving a deadly paleness in its place ; her eyes pos- 
sessed a brightness that seemed supernatural, and yet her 
weakness was so evident as to render it necessary to sup- 
port her, in a half-recumbent posture, on pillows. An ex- 
clamation of unfeigned delight escaped her when she be- 
held our hero, and then she covered her face with both her 
hands, in childish confusion, as if ashamed of betraying 


MERCEDES OF CAS7YLE. 


421 


the pleasure she felt. Luis behaved with manly propriety, 
for, though his conscience did not altogether escape a 
few twinges, at the recollection of the hours he had wasted 
in Ozena’s society, and at the manner in which he had 
momentarily submitted to the influence of her beauty 
and seductive simplicity, on the whole he stood self- 
acquitted of anything that might fairly be urged as a 
fault, and most of all, of any thought of being unfaithful 
to his first love, or of any design to deceive. He took the 
hand of the young Indian respectfully, and he kissed it 
with an openness and warmth that denoted brotherly 
tenderness and regard, rather than passion, or the emotion 
of a lover. Mercedes did not dare to watch his movements, 
but she observed the approving glance that the queen 
threw at her guardian, when he had approached the couch 
on which Ozema lay. This glance she interpreted into a 
sign that the count had acquitted himself in a manner 
favorable to her own interests. 

“ Thou findest the Lady Ozema weak and changed,” ob- 
served the queen, who alone would presume to break a 
silence that was already awkward. “We have been en- 
deavoring to enlighten her simple mind on the subject of 
religion, and she hath, at length, consented to receive the 
holy sacrament of baptism. The lord archbishop is even 
now preparing for the ceremony in my oratory, and we 
have the blessed prospect of rescuing this one precious 
soul from perdition.” 

“Your Highness hath ever the good of all your people 
at heart,” said Luis, bowing low to conceal the tears that 
the condition of Ozema had drawn from his eyes. “ I fear 
this climate of ours ill agrees with the poor Haytians, gen- 
erally, for I hear that the sick among them, at Seville and 
Palos, offer but little hope of recovery.” 

“ Is this so, Don Christopher ? ” 

“ Senora, I believe it is only too true. Care hath been 
had, however, to their souls, as well as to their bodies, and 
Ozema is the last of her people, now in Spain, to receive 
the holy rite of Christian baptism.” 

“Senora,” said the marchioness, coming from the couch, 
with surprise and concern in her countenance, “ I fear our 
hopes are to be defeated after all ! The Lady Ozema hath 
just whispered me, that Luis and Mercedes must first 
be married in her presence, ere she will consent to be ad- 
mitted wit&in the pale of the church herself.” 

“This doth not denote the right spirit, Beatriz, and yet 


422 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


what can be done with a mind so little illuminated with 
the light from above. Tis merely a passing caprice, and 
will be forgotten when the archbishop shall be ready.” 

“ 1 think not, Senora. Never have I seen her so de- 
cided and clear. In common we find her gentle and tract- 
able, but this hath she thrice said, in a way to cause the 
belief of her perfect seriousness.” 

Isabella now advanced to the couch and spoke long and 
soothingly to the invalid. In the meantime, the admiral 
conversed with the marchioness, and Luis again ap- 
proached our heroine. The evidences of emotion were 
plain in both, and Mercedes scarce breathed, not knowing 
what to expect. But a few low words soon brought an 
assurance that could not fail to bring happiness, spite of 
her generous efforts to feel for Ozema — that the heart of 
our hero was all her own. From this moment Mercedes 
dismissed every doubt, and she regarded Luis as had, so 
long been her wont. 

As is usual in the presence of royalty the conversation 
was carried on in a low tone, and a quarter of an hour 
elapsed before a page announced that the oratory, or little 
chapel, was ready, opening a door that communicated 
directly with it as he entered. 

“ This wilful girl persisteth, Daughter-Marchioness,” 
said the queen, advancing from the side of the couch, 
“ and I know not what to answer. It is cruel to deny her 
the offered means of grace, and yet it is a sudden and 
unseemly request to make of thy nephew and thy ward ! ” 

“ As for the first, dearest Senora, never distrust his for- 
giveness, though I much doubt the possibility of prevail- 
ing on Mercedes. Her very nature is made up of religion 
and female decorum.” 

“ It is, indeed, scarce right to think of it. A Christian 
maiden should have time to prepare her spirit for the holy 
sacrament of marriage by prayer.” 

“ And yet, Senora, many wed without it! The time hath 
been when Don Ferdinand of Aragon and Doha Isabella 
might not have hesitated for such a purpose.” 

“ That time never was, Beatriz. Thou hast a habit of 
making me look back to our days of trial and youth when- 
ever thou wouldst urge on me some favorite but ill-consid- 
ered wish of thine own. Dost really think thy ward would 
overlook the want of preparation and time?” 

“ I know not what she might feel disposed £h overlook, 
Senora, but I do know that if there be one woman in 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


423 


Spain who is at all times ready in spirit for the most sacred 
rites of the church, it is your Highness ; and if there be 
another it is my ward/’ 

u Go to — go to — good Beatriz ; flattery sitteth ill on 
thee. None are always ready, and all have an unceasing 
need for watchfulness. Bid Dona Mercedes follow to my 
closet! I will converse with her on this subject. At least 
there shall be no unfeminine and unseemly surprise.” 

So saying the queen withdrew. She had hardly reached 
her closet before our heroine entered, with a doubtful and 
timid step. As soon as her eyes met those of her sover- 
eign, Mercedes burst into tears, and falling on her knees 
she again buried her face in the robe of Dona Isabella. 
This outbreak of feeling was soon subdued, however, and 
then the girl stood erect waiting her sovereign’s pleasure. 

“ Daughter,” commenced the queen, “ I trust there is no 
longer any misapprehension between thee and the Gonde 
de Llera. Thou know’st the views of thy guardian and 
myself, and may’st in a matter like this with safety defer 
to our cooler heads and greater experience. Don Luis 
loveth thee, and hath never loved the princess, though it 
would not be out of character did an impetuous young 
man, who hath been much exposed to temptation, betray 
some transient and passing feeling toward one of so much 
nature and beauty.” 

“Luis hath admitted all, Senora; inconstant he hath 
never been, though he may have had his weaknesses.” 

“ ’Tis a hard l'esson to learn, child, even in this stage 
of thy life,” said the queen, gravely ; “ but it would have 
been harder were it deferred until the nearer tenderness 
of a wife had superseded the impulses of the girl. Thou 
hast heard the opinions of the learned ; there is little hope 
that the Princess Ozema can long survive.” 

“Ah! Senora, ’tis a cruel fate ! To die among strangers, 
in the flower of her beauty, and with a heart crushed by 
the weight of unrequited love ! ” 

“And yet, Mercedes, if heaven open on her awaking 
eyes, when the last earthly scene is over, the transition will 
be most blessed.; and they who mourn her loss would do 
wiser to rejoice. One so youthful and so innocent ; whose 
pure mind hath been laid bare to us, as it might be, and 
which we have found wanting in nothing beside the fruits 
of a pious instruction, can have little to apprehend on the 
score of personal errors. All that is required for such a 
being is to place her within the covenant of God’s grace, 


424 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


by obtaining the rite of baptism, and there is not a bishop 
of the church that could depart with brighter hopes for 
the future.’' 

“That holy office is my lord archbishop about to admin- 
ister, as I hear, Sefiora.” 

“ That somewhat dependeth on thee, daughter. Listen, 
and be not hasty in thy decision, which may touch on the 
security of a human soul.” 

The queen now related to Mercedes the romantic request 
of Ozema, placing it before her listener in terms so win- 
ning and gentle, that it produced less surprise and alarm 
than she herself had anticipated. 

“ Doha Beatriz hath a proposal that may, at first, appear 
plausible, but which reflection will not sanction. Her 
design was to cause the count actually to wed Ozema ” — 
Mercedes started, and turned pale — “ in order that the last 
hours of the young stranger might be soothed by the con- 
sciousness of being the wife of the man she idolized ; but 
I have found serious objections to the scheme. What is thy 
opinion, daughter?” 

“Sefiora, could I believe — as lately I did, but now do 
not — that Luis had such a preference for the princess as 
might lead him, in the end, to the happiness of that mutual 
affection without which wedlock must be a curse instead 
of a blessing, I would be the last to object ; nay, I think I 
could even beg the boon of your Highness on my knees, 
for she who so truly loveth can only seek the felicity of its 
object. But I am assured the count hath not the affection 
for the Lady Ozema that is necessary to this end ; and 
would it not be profane, Sefiora, to receive the church’s 
sacraments under vows that the heart not only does not 
answer to, but against which it is actually struggling ?” 

“ Excellent girl ! These are precisely my own views, 
and in this manner have I answered the marchioness. The 
rites of the church may not be trifled with, and we are 
bound to submit to sorrows that may be inflicted, after all, 
for our eternal good ; though it be harder to bear those of 
others than to bear our own. It resnaineth only to decide 
on this whim of Qzema’s, and to say if tLou wilt now be 
married, in order that she may be baptized.” 

Notwithstanding the devotedness of feeling with which 
our heroine loved Luis, it required a strong struggle with 
her habits and her sense of propriety to take this great 
step so suddenly, and with so little preparation. The wishes 
of die queen, however, prevailed ; for Isabella felt a deep 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE, 


425 


responsibility on her own soul, in letting the stranger de- 
part without being brought within the pale of the church. 
When Mercedes consented, she despatched a messenger to 
the marchioness, and then she and her companion both 
knelt, and passed near an hour together, in the spiritual 
exercises that were usual to the occasion. In this mood 
did these pure-minded females, without a thought to the 
vanities of the toilet, but with every attention to the men- 
tal preparations of which the case admitted, present them- 
selves at the door of the royal chapel, through which Ozema 
had just been carried, still stretched on her couch. The 
marchioness had caused a white veil to be thrown over the 
head of Mercedes, and a few proper but slight alterations 
had been made in her attire, out of habitual deference to 
the altar and its ministers. 

About a dozen persons, deemed worthy of confidence, 
were present, already ; and just as the bride and bride- 
groom were about to take their places, Don Ferdinand 
hastily entered, carrying in his hand some papers which 
he had been obliged to cease examining, in order to com- 
ply with the wishes of his royal consort. The king was a 
dignified prince ; and when it suited him, no sovereign 
enacted his part more gracefully or in better taste. Motion- 
ing the archbishop to pause, he directed Luis to kneel. 
Throwing over the shoulder of the young man the collar 
of one of his own orders, he said — 

“ Now, arise, noble sir, and ever do thy duty to thy 
Heavenly Master, as thou hast of late discharged it toward 
us.” 

Isabella rewarded her husband for this act of grace by 
an approving smile, and the ceremony immediately pro- 
ceeded. In the usual time, our hero and heroine were 
pronounced man and wife, and the solemn rites were 
ended. Mercedes felt, in the warm pressure with which 
Luis held her to his heart, that she now understood him ; 
and, for a blissful instant, Ozema was forgotten in the ful- 
ness of her own happiness. Columbus had given away 
the bride — an office that the king had assigned to him, 
though he stood at the bridgegroom’s side himself, with a 
view to do him honor, and even so far condescended as to 
touch the canopy that was held above the heads of the new 
married couple. But Isabella kept aloof, placing herself 
near the couch of Ozema, whose features she watched 
throughout the ceremony. She had felt no occasion for 
public manifestations of interest in the bride, their feelings 


426 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


having so lately been poured out together in dear and pri- 
vate communion. The congratulations were soon over, 
and then Don Ferdinand, and all but those who were in 
the secret of Ozema’ s history withdrew. 

The queen had not desired her husband, and the other 
attendants, to remain and witness the baptism of Ozema, 
out of a delicate feeling for the condition of a female stran- 
ger, whom her habits and opinions had invested with a 
portion of the sacred rights of royalty. She had noted the 
intensity of feeling with which the half-enlightened girl 
watched the movements of the archbishop and the parties, 
and the tears had forced themselves from her own eyes, at 
witnessing the struggle between love and friendship, 
that was portrayed in every lineament of her pale, but 
still lovely countenance. 

“Where cross ?" Ozema eagerly demanded, as Mercedes 
stooped to fold the wasted form of the young Indian in her 
arms, and to kiss her cheek. “ Give cross — Luis no marry 
with cross — give Ozema cross." 

Mercedes, herself, took the cross from the bosom of her 
husband, where it had lain near his heart, since it had 
been returned to him, and put it in the hands of the princess. 

“No marry with cross, then," murmured the girl, the 
tears suffusing her eyes, so as nearly to prevent her gazing 
at the much-prized bawble. “Now, quick, Senora, and 
make Ozema Christian.” 

The scene was getting to be too solemn and touching 
for many words, and the archbishop, at a sign from the 
queen, commenced the ceremony. It was of short dura- 
tion ; and Isabella’s kind nature was soon quieted with the 
assurance that the stranger whom she deemed the subject 
of her especial care, was put within the covenant for salva- 
tion that had been made with the visible church. 

“ Is Ozema Christian now?" demanded the girl, with a 
suddenness and simplicity, that caused all present to look 
at each other with pain and surprise. 

“Thou hast, now, the assurance that God’s grace will be 
offered to thy prayers, daughter," answered the prelate. 
“ Seek it with thy heart, and thy end, which is at hand, 
will be more blessed." 

“ Christian no marry heathen ? — Christian many Chris- 
tian ? ” 

“This hast, thou been often told, my poor Ozema," re- 
turned the queen ; “the rite could not be duly solemnized 
between Christian and heathen." 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


427 


“ Christian marry first lady lie love best ?” 

“ Certainly. To do otherwise would be a violation of 
his vow, and a mockery of God.” 

“ So Ozema think — but he can marry second wife — in- 
ferior wife — lady he love next. Luis marry Mercedes, 
first wife, because he love best — then he marry Ozema, 
second wife — lower wife — because he love next best— 
Ozema Christian now, and no harm. Come, archbishop ; 
make Ozema Luis’ second wife.” 

Isabella groaned aloud, and walked to a distant part of 
the chapel, while Mercedes burst into tears, and, sinking 
on her knees, she buried her face in the cloth of the couch, 
and prayed fervently for the enlightening of the soul of 
/the princess. The churchman did not receive this proof 
of ignorance in his penitent, and of her unfitness for the 
rite he had just administered, with the Same pity and in- 
dulgence. 

“ The holy baptism thou hast just received, benighted 
woman,” he said, sternly, “ is healthful, or not, as it is im- 
proved. Thou hast just made such a demand as already 
loadeth thy soul with a fresh load of sin, and the time for 
repentance is shorts No Christian can have two wives at 
the same time, and God know r eth no higher or lower, no 
first or last, between those whom his church hath united. 
Thou canst not be a second wife, the first still living.” 

“ No would be to Caonabo — to Luis, yes. Fifty, hun- 
dred wife to dear Luis ! No possible ? ” 

“Self-deluded and miserable girl, I tell thee no. No — no 
no — never — never — never. There is such a taint of sin in 
the very question as profaneth this holy chapel and the 
symbols of religion by which it is filled. Ay, kiss and 
embrace thy cross, and bow down thy very soul in despair, 
for ” 

“Lord Archbishop,” interrupted the Marchioness of 
Moya, with a sharpness of manner that denoted how much 
her ancient spirit was aroused, “there is enough of this. 
The ear thou wouldst wound, at such a moment, is already 
deaf, and the pure spirit hath gone to the tribunal of an- 
other, and, as I trust, a milder judge. Ozema is dead !” 

It was, indeed, true. Startled by the manner of the 
prelate — bewdldered with the confusion of ideas that had 
grown up between the dogmas that had been crowded on 
her mind of late, and those in which she had been early 
taught ; and physically paralyzed by the certainty that her 
last hope of a union with Luis was.gone, the spirit of the 


*28 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


Indian girl had deserted its beautiful tenement, leaving on 
the countenance of the corpse a lovely impression of the 
emotions that had prevailed during the last moments of its 
earthly residence. 

Thus fled the first of those souls that the great discov- 
ery was to rescue from the perdition of the heathen. 
Casuists may refine, the learned dilate, and the pious ponder 
on its probable fate in the unknown existence that awaited 
it ; but the meek and submissive will hope all from the 
beneficence of a merciful God. As for Isabella, she re- 
ceived a shock from the blow that temporarily checked 
her triumph at the success of her zeal and efforts. Little, 
however, did she foresee that the event was but a type of 
the manner in which the religion of the cross was to be 
abused and misunderstood ; a sort of practical prognostic 
of the defeat of most of her own pious and gentle hopes 
and wishes. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


“ A perfect woman, nobly planned, 

To warn, to comfort, and command 
And yet a spirit still, and bright, 

With something of an angel light.” — Wordsworth. 

The lustre that was thrown around the voyage of Co- 
lumbus brought the seas into favor. It was no longer 
deemed an inferior occupation, or unsuited to nobles to 
engage in enterprises on its bosom ; and that very pro- 
pensity of our hero, which had so often been mentioned to 
his prejudice in former years, was now frequently named 
to his credit. Though his real connection with Columbus 
is published, for the first time, in these pages, the circum- 
stance having escaped the superficial investigations of the 
historians, it was an advantage to him to be known as hav- 
ing manifested what might be termed a maritime disposi- 
tion, in an age when most of his rank and expectations 
were satisfied with the adventures of the land. A sort of 
fashion was got up on behalf of the ocean ; and the cava- 
lier who had gazed upon its vast and unbroken expanse, 
beyond the view of his mother earth, regarded him who 
had not much as he who had won his spurs looked down 
upon him who had suffered the proper period of life to 
pass without making the effort. Many of the nobles whose 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


429 

estates touched the Mediterranean or the Atlantic fitted 
out small coasters — the yachts of the fifteenth century — 
and were met following the sinuosities of the glorious 
coasts of that part of the world, endeavoring to derive a 
satisfaction from a pursuit that it seemed meritorious to 
emulate. That all succeeded who attempted thus to trans- 
fer the habits of courts and castles to the narrow limits of 
xebecs and feluccas, it would be hazarding too much to 
assert ; but there is little doubt that the spirit of the 
period was sustained by the experiments, and that men 
were ashamed to condemn that which it was equally the 
policy and the affectation of the day to extol. The rivalry 
between Spain and Portugal, too, contributed to the feel- 
ing of the times ; and there was soon greater danger of the 
youth who had never quitted his native shores being 
pointed out for his want of spirit, than that the adventurer 
should be marked for his eccentric and vagrant instability. 

In the meanwhile the seasons advanced, and events 
followed, in their usual course, from cause to effect. 
About the close of the month of September the ocean, 
just without that narrow and romantic pass that separates 
Europe from Africa, while it connects the transcendent 
Mediterranean with the broader wastes of the Atlantic, 
was glittering with the rays of the rising sun, which, at 
the same time, was gilding the objects that rose above the 
surface of the blue waters. The latter were not numer- 
ous, though a dozen different sails were moving slowly on 
their several courses, impelled by the soft breezes of the 
season. Of these, our business is with one alone, which it 
may be well to describe in a few general terms. 

The rig of the vessel in question was latine, perhaps the 
most picturesque of all that the ingenuity of man has in- 
vented as the accessory of a view, whether given to the 
eye by means of the canvas, or in its real dimensions and 
substance. Its position, too, was precisely that which a 
painter would have chosen as the most favorable to his 
pencil, the little felucca running before the wind, with one 
of its high, pointed sails extended on each side, resembling 
the pinions of some enormous bird that was contracting 
its wings as it settled toward its nest. Unusual symmetry 
was apparent in the spars and rigging ; while the hull, 
which was distinguished bylines of the fairest proportions, 
had a neatness and finish that denoted the yacht of a no- 
ble. 

The name of this vessel was the Ozema, and she 


43 ° 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE . 


carried the Count of Llera with his youthful bride. Luis, 
who had acquired much of the mariner’s skill in his 
many voyages, directed the movements in person, though 
Sancho Mundo strutted around her decks with an air of 
authority, being the titular, if not the real, patron of the 
craft. 

“Ay — ay — good Bartolemeo, lash that anchor well,” 
said the last, as he inspected the forecastle, in his hourly 
rounds; “for fair as maybe the breezes, and mild as is 
the season, no one can know what humor the Atlantic 
may be in when it fairly waketh up. In the great voyage 
to Cathay, nothing could have been more propitious than 
our outward passage, and nothing savor more of devils 
incarnate than the homeward. Doha Mercedes maketh 
an excellent sailor, as ye all may see ; and no one can 
tell which way, or how far, the humor of the Conde may 
carry him, when he hath once taken his departure. I 
tell ye, fellows, that glory and gold may alight upon ye 
all, any minute, in the service of such a noble ; and I 
hope none of ye have forgotten to come provided with 
hawk’s-bells, which are as remarkable for assembling 
doblas, as the bells of the Seville cathedral are for assem- 
bling Christians.” 

“ Master Mundo,” called out our hero, from the quarter- 
deck, “ let there be a man sent to the extremity of the 
foreyard, and bid him look along the sea to the north and 
east of us.” 

This command interrupted one of Sancho’s self-glorify- 
ing discourses, and compelled him to see the order 
executed. When the seaman who was sent aloft had 
“ shinned ” his way to the airy and seemingly perilous 
position he had been told to occupy, an inquiry went up 
from the deck, to demand what he beheld. 

“ Senor Conde,” answered the fellow, “ the ocean is 
studded with sails in the quarter your Excellency hath 
named, looking like the mouth of the Tagus at the first of 
a westerly wind.” 

“ Canst thou tell them, and let me know their numbers ?” 
called out Luis. 

“ By the mass, Senor,” returned the man, after taking 
time to make his count, “ I see no less than sixteen — nay, 
now I see another, a smaller, just opening from behind a 
carrack of size — seventeen I make them in all.” 

“ Then we are in season, love ! ” exclaimed Luis, turning 
toward Mercedes with delight ; “ once more shall 1 grasp 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


431 


the hand of the admiral ere he quitteth us again for 
Cathay. Thou seemest glad as myself that our effort hath 
not failed.” 

“That which giaddeneth thee, Luis, is sure to gladden 
me,” returned the bride ; “where there is but one interest, 
there ought to be but one wish.” 

“Beloved — beloved Mercedes — thou wilt make me every- 
thing thou canst desire. This heavenly disposition of 
thine, and this ready consenting to voyage with me, will 
be sure to mould me in such a way that I shall be less 
myself than thee.” 

“As yet, Luis,” returned the young wife, smiling, “the 
change promiseth to be the other way, since thou art much 
likelier to make me a rover than I to make thee a fixture 
of the castle of Llera.” 

“ Thou comest not out upon the sea, Mercedes, contrary 
to thine own wishes ? ” demanded Luis, with the earnest 
quickness of one who was fearful he might unconsciously 
have done an act of indiscretion. 

“ No, dearest Luis ; so far from it, that I have come with 
satisfaction, apart from the pleasure I have had in obliging 
thee. Fortunately, I feel no indisposition from the motion 
of the felucca, and the novelty is of the most agreeable 
and exciting kind.” 

To say that Luis rejoiced to hear this on more accounts 
than one, is but to add that he still found a pleasure in 
the scenes of the ocean. 

In half an hour the vessel of the admiral was visible 
from the Ozema’s deck, and ere the sun had reached the 
meridian the little felucca was gliding into the centre of 
the fleet, holding her course toward the carrack of Co- 
lumbus. The usual hailing passed, when, apprised of the 
presence of Mercedes, the admiral gallantly repaired on 
board the Ozema, to pay his respects in person. The 
scenes through which they had passed together had created 
in Columbus a species of paternal regard for Luis, in which 
Mercedes shared, through the influence of her noble con- 
duct during the events that occurred at Barcelona. He 
met the happy pair, therefore, with dignified affection, and 
his reception partook of the feelings that the count and 
countess so fully reciprocated. 

Nothing could be more striking, to one who had an op- 
portunity of witnessing both, than the contrast between 
the means with which the Genoese sailed on this and on 
his former voyage. Then he had set forth neglected, al- 


43 2 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


most forgotten, in three vessels, ill-found, and worse 
manned, while now the ocean was whitened with his can- 
vas, and he was surrounded by no inconsiderable portion 
of the chivalry of Spain. As soon as it was known that the 
Countess of Llera was in the felucca that had stopped the 
fleet, boats put off from most of the vessels, and Mercedes 
held a sort of court on the broad Atlantic ; her own female 
attendants, among whom were two or three of the rank of 
ladies, assisting her in doing proper honor to the cavaliers 
who thronged the deck. The balmy influence of the pure 
air of the ocean contributed to the happiness of the mo- 
ment ; and, for an hour, the Ozema presented a scene of 
gayety and splendor such as had never before been wit- 
nessed by any person present 

“ Beautiful Countess,” cried one, who had been a reject- 
ed suitor of our heroine, “you see to what acts of despera- 
tion your cruelty hath driven me, who am going forth on 
an adventure to the furthest East. It is well for Don Luis 
that I did not make this venture before he won your favor ; 
as no damsel in Spain is expected, henceforth, to withstand 
the suit of one of the admiral’s followers.” 

“ It may be as you say, Sefior,” returned Mercedes, her 
heart swelling with the consciousness that he whom she 
had chosen had made this same boasted adventure while 
others shrunk from its hazard, and when its result was 
still a mystery in the unknown future. “ It may be as you 
say ; but one of moderate wishes, like myself, must be 
content with these unambitious voyages along the coast, 
in which, happily, a wife may be her husband’s com- 
panion.” 

“ Lady,” cried the gallant and reckless Alonzo de Ojeda, 
in his turn, “Don Luis caused me to roll upon the earth, 
in the tourney, by a fair and manly effort, that hath left 
no rancor behind it ; but I shall outdo him now, since he 
is content to keep the shores of Spain in view, leaving to 
us the glory of seeking the Indies, and of reducing the In- 
fidels to the sway of the two sovereigns ! ” 

“ It is a sufficient honor to my husband, Senor, that he 
can boast of the success you name, and he must rest satis- 
fied with the reputation acquired in that one deed.” 

“ Countess, a year hence you would love him better, did 
he come forth with us, and show his spirit among the 
people of the Grand Khan ! ” 

“ Thou see’st, Don Alonzo, that the illustrious admiral 
doth not altogether despise him as it is. They seek a pri- 


* MERCEDES OF CASTILE, 


433 


vate interview in my cabin together ; an attention Don 
Christopher would not be apt to pay a recreant, or a lag- 
gard.” 

“ Tis surprising ! ” resumed the rejected suitor ; “ the 
favor of the Conde with our noble admiral hath surprised 
us all at Barcelona. Can it be, de Ojeda, that they have 
met in some of their earlier nautical wanderings?” 

“By the mass ! Sefior,” cried Alonzo, laughing, “ if Don 
Luis ever met the admiral, as he met me in the lists, I 
should think one interview would answer for the rest of 
their days ! ” 

In this manner did the discourse proceed, some speaking 
in levity, some in more sober mood, and all in amity. 
While this was passing on deck, Columbus had, indeed, 
retired to a cabin with our hero. 

“ Don Luis,” said the admiral, when they were seated 
near each other, and alone, “ thou k nowest the regard I 
bear thee, and I feel certain that thou returnest it with an 
equal degree of esteem. I now go forth from Spain on a 
far more perilous adventure than that in which thou wert 
my companion. Then I sailed concealed in contempt, and 
veiled from human eyes by ignorance and pity ; now have 
I left the old world followed by malignancy and envy. 
These facts am I too old not to have seen, and foreseen. 
In my absence many will be busy with my name. Even 
they who now shout at my heels will become my calum- 
niators, revenging themselves for past adulation bv pres- 
ent detraction. The sovereigns will be beset with lies, 
and any disappointment in the degree of success will 
be distorted into crimes. I leave friends behind me, 
too — friends, such as Juan Perez, de St. Angel, Quin- 
tanilla, and thyself. On ye, then, do I greatly rely, not 
for favors, but for the interest of truth and justice.” 

“ Sefior, you may count upon my small influence under 
all circumstances. I have seen you in the day of trial, and 
it exceedeth ordinary misrepresentations to weaken my faith 
in you.” 

“This did I believe, Luis, even before it was so warmly 
and sincerely said,” returned the admiral, squeezing the 
young man’s hand with fervor. “ I doubt if Fonseca, who 
hath now so much power in the affairs of India, is truly 
my friend. Then, there is one of thy blood and name, who 
hath already regarded me with unfavorable eyes, and whom 
I distrust exceedingly, should an occasion offer in which 
he might do me injury.” 

28 


434 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. ‘ 


“ I know him well, Don Christopher, and account him 
as doing no credit to the house of Bobadilla.” 

“ He hath credit, nevertheless, with the king, which is of 
more importance just now !” 

“ Ah ! Senor, to that wily and double-faced monarch, you 
must look for nothing generous. So long as Doha Isabella’s 
ear can be kept open to the truth, there is nothing to fear, 
but Don Ferdinand groweth each day more worldly and 
temporizing. Mass ! — that one who, in youth, was so bold 
and manly a knight, should in his age betray so many of 
the meannesses that would disgrace a Moor 1 My noble 
aunt, however, is a host in herSelf, and will ever remain 
true to you, as she commenced.” 

“ God overruleth all, and it were sinful to distrust either 
his wisdom or justice. And now, Luis, one word touching 
thyself. Providence hath made thee the guardian of the 
happiness of such a being as is seldom found this side the 
gates of heaven. The man who is blessed with a virtuous 
and amiable wife, like her thou hast wedded, should erect 
an altar in his heart, on which he ought to make daily, nay, 
hourly sacrifices of gratitude to God for the boon ; since 
of all earthly blessings, he enjoyeth the richest, the purest, 
and the most lasting, should he not be unmindful of his 
own riches. But a woman like Dona Mercedes is a creature 
as delicate as she is rare. Let her equanimity check thy 
impetuosity ; her purity rebuke the less refined elements 
of thy composition ; her virtue stimulate thine own ; her 
love keep thine in an unceasing flame, and her tenderness 
be a constant appeal to thy manly indulgence and pro- 
tection. Fulfil all thy duties as a Spanish grandee, son, and 
seek felicity in the partner of thy bosom, and in love to 
God.” 

The admiral now gave Luis his blessing, and taking leave 
of Mercedes in the same solemn manner, he hastened to his 
carrack. Boat after boat quitted the felucca, many calling 
out their leave-takings even after they were at a distance. 
In a few minutes, the heavy yards swung around, and the 
fleet was again sweeping off toward the southwest, holding 
its way, as was then fancied, toward the distant shores of 
India. For an hour the Ozema lay where she had been 
left by Columbus, as if gazing at her retiring friends ; then 
her canvas filled, and she hauled up toward that bight of 
the coast, at the bottom of which lay the port of Palos de 
Moguer. 

The afternoon was deliciously balmy, and when the fe* 


MERCEDES OE CASTILE. 


435 


lucca drew in with the land, the surface of the sea was as 
smooth as that of an inland lake. There was just wind 
enough to cool the air, and to propel the little vessel three 
or four knots through the water. The day apartment oc- 
cupied by our hero and heroine, was on the quarter-deck. 
It was formed, on the exterior, by a tarpauling, bent like 
the tilt of a wagon, while the interiorwas embellished with 
a lining of precious stuffs that converted it into a beautiful 
little saloon. In front, a canvas bulkhead protected it 
from the gaze of the crew ; and, toward the stern a rich 
curtain fell, when it became necessary to shutout the view. 
The latter was now carelessly festooned, permitting the 
eye to range over a broad expanse of the ocean, and to 
watch the glories of the setting sun. 

Mercedes reclined on a luxurious couch, gazing on the 
ocean, and Luis touched a guitar, seated on a stool at her 
feet. He had just played a favorite national air, which he 
had accompanied with his voice, and had laid aside the 
instrument, when he perceived that his young wife did not 
listen, with her usual fondness and admiration, to his music. 

“Thou art thoughtful, Mercedes,” he said, leaning for- 
ward to read the melancholy expression of those eyes that 
were so often glowing with enthusiasm. 

“The sun is setting in the direction of the land of poor 
Ozema, Luis,” Mercedes answered, a slight tremor pervad- 
ing her voice ; “ the circumstance, in connection with the 
sight of this boundless ocean, that so much resembleth 
eternity, hath led me to think of her end. Surely — surely 
— a creature so innocent can never be consigned to eternal 
misery, because her unenlightened mind and impassioned 
feelings were unable to comprehend all the Church’s 
mysteries ! ” 

“ I would that thou though t’st less on this subject, love ; 
thy prayers, and the masses that have been said for her 
soul, should content thee ; or, if thou wilt, the last can be 
repeated again and again.” 

“ We will offer still more,” returned the young wife, 
scarce speaking above her breath, while the tears fell down 
her cheeks. “ The best of us will need masses, and we owe 
this to poor Ozema. Didst thou bethink thee to intercede 
again with the admiral, to do all service to Mattinao, on 
reaching Espanola ? ” 

“ That hath been attended to, and so dismiss the subject 
from thy mind. The monument is already erected at 
Llera, and we may feel regret for the loss of the sweet 


43 6 


MERCEDES OF CASJ'ILE. 


girl, but can scarce mourn for her. Were I not Luis de 
Bobadilla, thy husband, dearest, I could think her the sub- 
ject of envy, rather than of pity.” 

“Ah! Luis, thy flattery is too pleasing to bring reproof, 
but it is scarce seemly. Even the happiness I feel in being 
assured of thy love — that our fortunes, fate, name, interests 
are one— is, in truth, but misery, compared with the 
seraphic joys of the blessed ; and to such joys I could wish 
Ozema’s spirit might be elevated.” 

“ Doubt it not, Mercedes ; she hath all that her good- 
ness and innocence can claim. Mass ! if she even have 
half that I feel, in holding thee thus to my heart, she is no 
subject for grief, and thou say’st she hath, or wilt have, 
tenfold more.” 

“Luis — Luis — speak not thus! We will have other 
masses said at Seville, as well as at Burgos and Salamanca.” 

“ As thou wilt, love. Let them be said yearly, monthly, 
weekly, forever, or as long as the churchmen think they 
may have virtue.” 

Mercedes smiled her gratitude, and the conversation 
became less painful, though it continued to be melancholy. 
An hour passed in this manner, during which, the com- 
munion was of the sweet character that pervades the inter- 
course of those who love tenderly. Mercedes had already 
acquired a powerful command over the headlong pro- 
pensities and impetuous feelings of her husband, and was 
gradually moulding him, unknown to herself, to be the 
man that was necessary to her own feelings. In this 
change, which was the result of influence, and not of cal- 
culation or design, she was aided by the manly qualities of 
our hero, which were secretly persuading him that he had 
now the happiness of another in his keeping, as well as his 
own. This is an appeal that a really generous mind seldom 
withstands, and far oftener produces the correction of 
minor faults than any direct management or open rebukes. 
Perhaps Mercedes’ strongest arm, however, was her own 
implicit confidence in her husband’s excellence, Luis feel- 
ing a desire to be that which she so evidently thought him ; 
an opinion that his own conscience did not, in the fullest 
extent, corroborate. 

Just as the sun had set, Sancho came to announce that 
he had let go the anchor. 

“ Here we are, Senor Conde — here we are, at last, Senora 
Dona Mercedes, lying off the town of Palos, and within a 
hundred yards of the very spot where Don Christophef 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


437 


and his gallant companions departed for the discovery of 
the Indies— God bless him a hundred-fold, and all who 
went with him. The boat is ready to take you to the shore, 
Senora ; and there, if you do not find Seville, or Barcelona, 
cathedrals and palaces, you will find Palos, and Santa 
Clara, and the ship-yard gate — three places that are, hence- 
forth, to be more renowned than either : Palos, as having 
sent forth the expedition ; Santa Clara, as having saved 
it from destruction, by vows fulfilled at its altars ; and 
the gate, for having had the ship of the admiral built 
within it.” 

“And other great events, good Sancho ! ” put in the 
count. 

“Just so, your Excellency; and for other great events. 
Am I to land you, lady ? ” 

Mercedes assented, and in ten minutes she and her hus- 
band were walking on the beach, within ten yards of the 
very spot where Columbus and Luis had embarked the 
previous year. The firm sands were now covered with 
people, walking in the cool of the evening. Most of them 
were of the humbler classes, this being the only land, we 
believe, in which the population of countries that possess a 
favorable climate, do not thus mingle in their public prom- 
enades, at that witching hour. 

Luis and his beautiful wife had landed merely for exer- 
cise and relaxation, well knowing that the felucca pos- 
sessed better accommodations than any hosteria of Palos ; 
and they fell into the current of the walkers. Before 
them was a group of young matrons, who were con- 
versing eagerly and sufficiently loud to be overheard. 
Our hero and heroine instantly ceased their own discourse 
when they found that the subject was the voyage to 
Cathay. 

“ This day,” said one of the party, in a tone of au- 
thority, “ did Don Christopher sail from Cadiz ; the sov- 
ereigns deeming Palos too small a port for the equip- 
ment of so great an enterprise. You may depend on 
what I tell ye, good neighbors ; my husband, as you all 
well know, holding an appointment in the admiral’s own 
ship.” 

“ You are to be envied, neighbor, that he is in so good 
repute with so great a man ! ” 

“ How could he be otherwise, seeing that he was with 
him before, when few had courage to be his companions, 
and was ever faithful to his orders. ‘ Monica’ — nay, it was 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


438 

< good Monica’ — said the admiral to me, with his own 
mouth, ‘thy Pepe is a true-hearted mariner, and hath con- 
ducted to my entire satisfaction. He shall be made the 
boatswain of my own carrack, and thou, and thy posterity, 
to the latest antiquity, may boast that you belong to so good 
a man.’ These were his words ; and what he said, he did 
— Pepe being now a boatswain. But the paters and aves 
that I said to reach this good fortune, would pave this 
beach ! ” 

Luis now stepped forward and saluted the party, mak- 
ing curiosity to know the particulars of the first de- 
parture, his excuse. As he expected, Monica did not rec- 
ognize him in his present rich attire, and she willingly 
related all she knew, and not a little more. The interview 
showed how completely this woman had passed from de- 
spair to exultation, reducing the general and more public 
change of sentiment, down to the individual example of a 
particular case. 

“I have heard much of one Pinzon,” added Luis, “who 
went forth as pilot of a caravel in the voyage ; what hath 
become of him ? ” 

“ Senor, he is dead ! ” answered a dozen voices, Monica’s, 
however, so far getting the ascendancy, as to tell the story. 
“ He was once a great man in this quarter ; but now his 
name is lost, like his life. He was untrue, and died of 
grief, it is said, when he found the Nina lying in the river, 
when he expected to have had all the glory to himself.” 

Luis had been too much engrossed with his own feelings 
to have heard this news before, and he continued his walk, 
musing and sad. 

“ So much for unlawful hopes, and designs that God 
doth not favor ! ” he exclaimed, when they had walked a 
considerable distance. “ Providence hath, I think, been of 
the admiral’s side ; and certainly, my love, it hath been of 
mine.” 

“This is Santa Clara,” observed Mercedes. “Luis, I 
would enter, and return a thanksgiving at its altars for thy 
safety and return, and offer a prayer for the future success 
of Don Christopher.” 

They both entered the church, and they knelt together 
at the principal altar ; for, in that age, the bravest warriors 
were not as much ashamed, as in our own times, of pub- 
licly acknowledging their gratitude to, and their depend- 
ence on God. This duty performed, the happy pair re- 
turned silently to the beach, and went off to the felucca. 


MERCEDES OF CASTILE. 


439 


Early in the morning, the Ozema sailed for Malaga 
again, Luis being fearful he might be recognized if he con- 
tinued at Palos. Their port was reached in safety ; and 
shortly after the party arrived at Val verde, the principal 
estate of Mercedes, where we shall leave our hero and 
heroine in the enjoyment of a felicity that was as great as 
could be produced by the connection between manly ten- 
derness on one side, and purity of feeling and disinterested 
womanly love on the other. 

At a late day, there were other Luis de Bobadillas in 
Spain, among her gallant and noble, and other Mercedes’, 
to cause the hearts of the gay and aspiring to ache ; but 
there was only one Ozema. She appeared at court, in the 
succeeding reign, and, for a time, blazed like a star that 
had just risen in a pure atmosphere. Her career, however, 
was short, dying young and lamented ; since which time, 
the name itself has perished. It is, in part, owing to these 
circumstances, that we have been obliged to drag so much 
of our legend from the lost records of that eventful period 


THE END. 





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